CMC Magazine Spring 2024

Fueled by a love of nature—and sweet

Vlases ’25 didn’t want to wait

Success on the court spurred Henry Albrecht ’91 P’23 P’26 to bring his competitive drive to the business of

Nearly two years after publishing Remarkably Bright Creatures, author Shelby Van Pelt ’02 and her eightarmed hero continue to delight

Thanks to CMC’s Appel Fellowship, Julian Rivera-Williams ’25 has learned more about himself—and his future

Robert A. Day ’65 P’12: A dedicated leader of CMC for nearly 60 years

On a foggy winter morning, construction crews hoist a large beam off a truck and onto the Robert Day Sciences Center, as seen from Claremont Boulevard.

Photo by Anibal Ortiz

CMC.

The Crown Society is made up of the College’s most loyal champions.

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In the first event back from my fall sabbatical, I had the honor of introducing John McWhorter at a special alumni gathering in Orange County, prior to his appearance at the Athenaeum later that evening as part of the Valach Speaker Series. One of the country’s singular and authentic voices, McWhorter is best known as a linguistics professor and New York Times opinion writer. His thoughtful yet outspoken presence reinforced our mission-centric, nationally recognized Open Academy, which I described as “an emerging, cloud-clearing North Star for higher education in a society that appears increasingly censorious, dogmatic, and polarized.”

It is further reinforcing to see our Open Academy commitments come alive in this issue of the magazine, through so many examples.

In one of our feature profiles, Henry Albrecht ’91 P’23 P’26 shared how CMC taught him the value of critical thinking and open-mindedness. A standout CMS basketball player, he loved organizing pickup games with opposing players from nearby colleges—a counterintuitive impulse to learn how to get along with others who were supposed to be his “enemy on the court.” Through his well-rounded athletic and academic experience, Henry walked away from CMC knowing “that life wasn’t about locking out ideas, or concepts, or constructs just because they weren’t what you originally thought or agreed with.” This is The Open Academy in our recent past.

In another profile, Claire Vlases ’25 discussed how she chose CMC, in large part, because of its viewpoint diversity. She knew she would be challenged in classes and on campus by peers who thought differently. This exposure has made her a stronger, more responsible leader, particularly in her home state of Montana, where she has advocated for climate change policy. Claire has since been honored by TIME Magazine and appeared in a variety of national interviews from PBS to CNN for her leadership in a Montana court case about fossil fuel approvals. This is The Open Academy today.

You’ll see many other examples throughout this issue—whether our esteemed Ath speakers from this academic year, including salons and events on the Middle East and the upcoming election, our amazing faculty research and scholarship, or our exceptional alumni involvement and student honors. Even our public art speaks to Open Academy objectives.

For me, the vivid translucency and penetrability of Pae White’s Qwalala, which graces our Mid-Quad, calls us to see through, to transcend the centrifugal forces and opaque walls that separate us. The haiku I wrote in my January welcome back letter to the community—which I’ve shared on the next page—expresses that calling.

I trust you will see in these pages our unwavering commitment to overcome division through constructive dialogue, and to create more unum in our pluribus

Wishing you all the very best.

the hub

CLAREMONT MCKENNA

Photos by Anibal Ortiz and Watchara Phomicinda

Introducing… Qwalala

Of all the Public Art Program additions that have been made to CMC’s campus since 2015, Qwalala can certainly claim to be the most colorful. It simultaneously feels like the most magical.

Located in the Mid-Quad area just south of Collins Dining Hall, Qwalala stands nearly eight feet at its highest point and is 250 feet long. The massive piece from Los Angeles-based artist Pae White features two archways and is made up of more than 1,500 glass bricks—each weighing nearly 40 pounds and hand-forged by Italian artisans—in a palette of 26 colors.

The title of the work, Qwalala, is derived from the Pomo tribal word describing the path of the Gualala River on the northern coast of California. Like the river itself, Qwalala changes throughout the day and evening as light and shadows cast upon the clear and colored glass bricks. Qwalala’s special illumination in the evening— until midnight—also allows it to take on an entirely new appearance and dimension thanks to the swirling colors of the bricks activated by the light.

clay bricks, walls high cold world’s centrifuge spits us out to choose sides, blind eyes

warm sun through glass, we pass through lines offense defense I now see you, us

—original haiku by President Hiram Chodosh

“If you look away for two minutes, you look back, it’s going to be different,” said White, a 1985 Scripps College alumna. “So, to have that kind of ever-evolving aspect of the piece, it’s just a dream.”

Kimberly Shiring, Secretary of the College and Director of Public Art, said Qwalala has “activated a social space to inspire, to challenge, to bring wonder, and to engage with each other constructively.” Its interactive design further “represents the fusion of art, culture, and nature,” added Devanshi Guglani ’25, Co-President of the CMC Student Art Council. “It is a testament to the ingenuity of artist Pae White and has completely revitalized our Mid-Quad space.”

“I

would like

to

express my gratitude … to everyone who is willing to risk a little vulnerability to be in a room where poems are being read, because sometimes we have to open our hearts in ways that we are not always ready for.”

– U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, the first Latina to serve as the nation’s official poet. She has been honored with both a Guggenheim and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship.

Photos by Anibal Ortiz

Heard at The Ath

For the past four decades, the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum has served as the heart of intellectual and social engagement on Claremont McKenna’s campus, attracting prestigious speakers and shining a light on the College as a hub for thoughtful and constructive dialogue. Here are highlights from speakers this academic year.

“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, and legislators to pass laws. But taking in the big picture, despite those accomplishments, I have been frustrated by the lack of action for those who could make a difference in people’s lives. I often remind myself of those words of the late Senator John McCain, that hope is a powerful defense against oppression.”

– Nury Turkel, Commissioner at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and author of No Escape: The True Story of China’s Genocide of the Uyghurs

“Systemic racism doesn’t necessarily do a good job of helping us to make sense of things. Instead of trying to understand why it is that there are inequalities between so-called racial groups, we need to historicize whatever policy, issue, or question that we’re interested in, and understand all of the parts of that whole. And then from there, try to think about how we might fashion some type of policy or procedure that could potentially address some of those inequalities.”

– Jared Clemons, Temple University Assistant Professor of Political Science, who has an extensive research background spanning political economy, race, and the politics of education.

“I’m intrigued by the relationship between our internal human rhythms and the natural environment. Whether it’s our beating hearts, our breath patterns, or the electrical waves of our brain.”

– Linda Alterwitz, who has created art transposing diagnostic medical images, including patterns generated by EKGs, EEGs, and functional MRIs, onto landscape and other images.

“The Athenaeum has long been a space of communal gathering at CMC, and we love to have musical performances for the holidays. That’s why the Ath is the perfect place to continue this wonderful tradition. As a student of Ward’s, it was an honor to bring Singing Parties to the Ath, and I hope that there will be many more to come!”

– Brian Davidson ’08, Interim Director of the Ath, on the thrill of bringing the Singing Party back to CMC in honor of the late Ward Elliott, a beloved professor and mentor.

“When I was in school, I was so intimidated by (the Ath) and its extraordinary speakers that I never asked a single question at Q&A. I also never had the pleasure of sitting at the head table before. But I did last night and was graced by the presence of current students who I am sure are going to change this country for the better.”

– Candace Valenzuela ’06, reflecting on “the awe” of being asked to return as an Ath speaker. Valenzuela is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Regional Administrator in the Southwest.

“When we look at ethics and the environment, we look broadly at it, to try and find an exemplar of that. And that’s where Martin Luther King comes in. Often, we try to think of King only as this pivotal figure, this long glow and afterglow of 1963, the March on Washington. And yet, do we really engage the thinking of King?”

– Corey D. B. Walker, the Ath’s annual MLK commemorative speaker and Dean of Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity.

Investing In Student Success

Zara Vakath ’24 remembers the thrill of watching Super Micro Computer stock skyrocket more than 1,000 percent after an initial investment through CMC’s Student Investment Fund (SIF).

“None of us predicted this kind of return,” said Vakath, CEO of SIF, which is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. “This was way beyond our expectations.”

Operated exclusively by a team of CMC student portfolio managers and analysts, SIF was launched in 1974 with a $500 securities investment from a CMC alumnus. In 2015, CMC Trustee George R. Roberts ’66 P’93 made a leadership gift to amplify the impact of the fund. Today, the fund is now worth approximately $3 million.

Over the past 50 years, hundreds of CMCers have learned fundamental investing, developed long-term strategies for portfolio management, expanded organizational resources, and recruited and placed human capital within the fund. The work highlights how students fulfill CMC’s mission to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.

After joining the fund as a first-year CMCer, Vakath said investing quickly became her passion. It even shifted her career goals to finance. She completed an internship at Citadel, an investment firm in New York City, and will start a full-time job at the firm after graduating in May.

“Initially, I didn’t think I would pursue finance,” Vakath said. “I had a misconception that finance is quantitative and all math. But when you think about fundamental investing, which is what we do at SIF, it’s really about the qualitative piece just as much as it is about the quantitative piece. You’re doing critical thinking. You’re trying to assess factors that are sometimes more subjective.”

SIF students also look at macroeconomic trends, consumer sentiment, and perhaps most importantly, a company’s story—all of which are key to choosing investments. The group selects 10 to 15 student members a year. The Claremont Investment Management Company executes SIF trades and takes on an oversight role—ultimately, the entire portfolio is managed by students.

SIF members meet several times a week, pitching stocks and voting on where the fund will invest. With stock pitching an essential component to being a member of SIF, the fund actively recruits students who are passionate, creative, and not afraid to defend their idea when somebody challenges them on it, said Economics and Finance Professor Eric Hughson, who serves as SIF’s faculty advisor.

FEI Celebrates 20 Years

“The professionalization of the Student Investment Fund is so impressive,” said Hughson. “Students get internships in finance so much earlier in their careers than they used to, and exposure to finance early on is key. It’s really nice to see continued involvement from alumni who were formerly in the fund—the SIF has a network and they use it to get students access to internships.”

That was the case for Nick Lillie ’17, who currently works at a Series B technology company as chief financial officer after stints at Evercore and True Wind Capital. He returned recently to CMC to speak with SIF students about his postgraduation experience.

“SIF stands as the cornerstone of my career trajectory,” Lillie said. “It opened doors to unexplored career paths, equipped me with essential skills, and expanded my professional network. I’ve relied on SIF-learned skills at every turn.”

– Gilien Silsby

CMC’s Financial Economics Institute (FEI) is celebrating two decades of providing opportunities for students interested in finance. FEI’s hallmarks: Developing research skills, engaging with practitioners working in the world of finance, and offering students a rigorous emphasis on quantitative orientation.

“I feel honored to carry the mission forward as the director of FEI. Of course, the nature of the finance industry has changed a lot over the past two decades, and I want to make sure FEI adapts and evolves in serving our students appropriately—preparing them for the future of finance,” said Nishant Dass, Director of FEI and the Charles M. Stone Professor of Finance.

FEI Advisory Board Chairs—Alan Heuberger ’96 and John Shrewsberry ’87 P’24—recently returned to campus for a combined FEI and Student Investment Fund anniversary celebration. They emphasized the long-term impact of FEI and how CMC students are learning vital, practical skills as they work on their institute projects.

“FEI is a stalwart among the research institutes here at CMC,” said Shrewsberry, a CMC Board of Trustee member. “The work that students are doing with FEI will certainly send them into the workforce with real skills. My advice to students is to absorb all of the benefits of your work and position yourselves for whatever jobs or academic careers that you are truly passionate about.”

Photos by Isaiah Tulanda '20 and Anibal Ortiz

CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE

Photos by Isaiah Tulanda '20 and Anibal Ortiz

Embodying Claremont McKenna College’s mission “to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions,” two CMC students, Bertha Tobias ’23 and Pieter van Wingerden ’24, were recently recognized on a global scale with notable scholarships.

For the fourth time in the College’s history, a CMC student was honored with a Rhodes Scholarship, the most competitive and prestigious scholarship in the world.

Bertha Tobias ‘23, who graduated in December 2023 as an International Relations major with a sequence in Leadership Studies, heads to the University of Oxford in England to begin her graduate studies in fall 2024. Upon her selection, Tobias became CMC’s second female Rhodes Scholar, following Sarah Chen ’22, who became the first in 2021.

Born and raised in Namibia, she is also the fourth Rhodes Scholar in the country’s history.

Tobias plans to pursue two Masters of Science: one in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment, and a second degree in Water Science, Policy and Management at Oxford. Her interest in water science stems from challenges faced by her home country. “One of Namibia’s biggest environmental vulnerabilities is a water shortage,” Tobias said. “We have chronic drought and we just don’t have resilient water infrastructure to be responsive to climate change.”

At CMC, she was a Davis United World College Scholar and has served in roles with the Office of Admission, as a student representative on the College’s Advancement Committee, and with the Kravis Leadership Institute. During her summers as a CMC student, Tobias also secured funding from the Soll Center for Student Opportunity, the Kravis Lab for Social Impact, and the Gould Center for Humanistic Studies to produce the first season of her own television series, Spotlight, which chronicles stories of young entrepreneurs in Namibia.

The Rhodes Scholarship is the world’s preeminent and oldest graduate fellowship, with fully funded postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.

Pieter van Wingerden ‘24, a senior who studies Government and Asian Studies, is CMC’s 20th Truman Scholar since the coveted scholarship was established by Congress in 1975.

As an American who grew up in Hong Kong, van Wingerden experienced firsthand the important role our nation’s foreign policy plays in protecting and promoting international peace and security. Motivated by a sense of service to his country, which “has given me so much,” van Wingerden expressed gratitude to the Truman Foundation for “their willingness to invest in me as someone who wants to enter the public sector.”

On campus, van Wingerden served as the President of the CMC chapter of the American Enterprise Institute Executive Council and Vice President of the Alexander Hamilton Society. He has also been involved with the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies, the Rose Institute of State and Local Government, and CMS Athletics as a pitcher for the baseball team. In addition, van Wingerden earned internship opportunities with the Project 2049 Institute, the Department of Defense, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Truman Scholarship provides funding for graduate studies and a variety of opportunities within the federal government for the next generation of public service leaders.

# of students who attended in 2023-24 102

# of cities and themes 5

# of employer visits and panels 70

CMC’s ranking among all colleges by The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, citing career outcomes and maximum initial salaries for graduates #9 (and #1 on the West Coast)

# of alumni hosts and volunteers

194

# of student-prepared questions

2,492

# of steps taken per day by students on the NYC trek alone

15,000

Relationships built between students, staff, and alumni Incalculable

CMC Networking Treks

When intellectual rigor and personal insight are blended with expert guidance and incredible resources, extraordinary opportunities open up for CMC students. Among the most valuable experiences offered by the Soll Center for Student Opportunity: annual networking treks that offer real-world personal development and career exploration. Traveling to industry hubs such as New York City (Financial Services), Los Angeles (Creative & Entertainment), San Diego (Medicine & Biotech), San Francisco/ Silicon Valley (Consulting and Technology), and Washington D.C. (Government & Public Policy) has provided hundreds of students with an opportunity to meet alumni and potential employers while learning about industries and organizations that interest them. As part of the CMC Career Readiness Effect, students also practice essential networking skills and build relationships that may lead to enhanced summer internships and full-time opportunities.

Photos by Sun Young Byun '26 and Natalie Chen ’26

on the bookshelf

Throughout the year, CMC faculty were prolific—publishing books that showcase their research and artistry while deepening our collective conversation. Here is a selection of recent publications from CMC authors, including an illuminating poetry collection; an analysis of the politics of nuclear proliferation; an examination of modern Chinese dictatorship; and a philosophical exploration of the nature of art and aesthetic value.

Henri Cole, a self-described “lyric poet,” is CMC’s Josephine Olp Weeks Professor of Literature. A finalist for the Pulitzer in 2004, Cole has earned several awards for his work, including the Jackson Prize, the Kingsley Tufts Award, the Rome Prize, the Berlin Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Lenore Marshall Award, and the Award of Merit Medal in Poetry from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

The book: Cole’s 11th collection of poetry, Gravity and Center: Selected Sonnets, 1994-2022, compiles nearly 130 of his poems, which The New York Times Book Review described as “a hive of feeling, thinking activity … Cole’s sonnet is a form both economical and maximal, which, through both artifice and resistance to artifice, feels and makes you feel, thinks and makes you think.”

Lisa Koch, an Associate Professor of Government, specializes in international relations, focusing on international security, nuclear proliferation, and foreign policy. Since joining the CMC faculty in 2016, Koch has taught courses in international relations, American foreign policy, security studies, and the politics of nuclear weapons. She earned the 2023 Glenn R. Huntoon Award for Superior Teaching.

The book: Koch takes a global approach in her first book, Nuclear Decisions: Changing the Course of Nuclear Weapons Programs, to understand the politics and processes of nuclear proliferation. “My book is part of a larger research agenda investigating these important questions: ‘Why do states take such different paths to, and away from, nuclear weapons?’ and ‘What slows the spread of nuclear weapons?’” she said.

Minxin Pei is the Tom and Margot Pritzker ’72 Professor of Government and George R. Roberts Fellow at CMC. His areas of expertise include China, comparative politics, the Pacific Rim, U.S.-Asia relations, and U.S.-China relations. He is also a non-resident senior fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. In 2019, he was the Library of Congress Chair on U.S.-China Relations.

The book: Pei’s fourth book, The Sentinel State: Surveillance and the Survival of Dictatorship in China, argues that the endurance of dictatorship in China owes less to facial recognition AI and GPS tracking than to the human resources of the surveillance state. In its review, The New York Times wrote: “In his fascinating, meticulously researched The Sentinel State, Pei focuses on how the Chinese government upgraded its surveillance capabilities to prevent another social movement like the one that inspired the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising.”

Alex Rajczi is the Deborah and Kenneth Novack ’67 Professor of Ethics and Leadership and George R. Roberts Fellow at CMC. He specializes in ethical theory, political philosophy, and applied ethics, with a focus on bioethics and the ethics of health care policy.

The book: Rajczi’s second book, The Art Experience: An Introduction to Philosophy and the Arts, explores three questions: “What makes something a work of art?”; “How should we experience art to get the most out of it?”; and “Once we understand art, how should we evaluate whether it is good or bad?” To illustrate, Rajczi cites concrete examples—from the paintings of Frida Kahlo, to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and the masks of the Nso people.

the hub Syllabus Snapshots

Thanks to a wide-ranging, interwoven curriculum taught by world-class faculty, Claremont McKenna College students are well-prepared for real-world situations that require ingenuity and adaptability. Here is a sample of four new and innovative courses offered at CMC during the spring semester.

Literature and AI

Radhika Koul

An Assistant Professor of Literature and a Mellon Emerging Scholar, Koul joined CMC in fall 2023. Koul’s course reflects her interdisciplinary work, which straddles contemporary research in neuroscience and artificial intelligence with the study of how literature works on the human mind. “This class is not about AI-generated literature or automated storytelling. It is about thinking about both literature and artificial intelligence as technologies that ‘re-cognize,’ and hence re-interpret, the world. … and probe how both literature and AI make sense of the world and what those processes yield,” she said.

The Senses

Lars Schmitz

One of the seven scientists and educators to join CMC’s Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences (KDIS) faculty in May 2023, Schmitz designed his course to provide an integrative perspective on the senses, applying concepts from cell biology, biochemistry, physics, genomics, ecology, and evolution. One of his intended learning outcomes is for students to write an effective research proposal.

“Research is very important because it gives (students) something they can actively work on, immerse themselves in, and learn about discovery. I think that is the most valuable experience,” he said.

Photos by Anibal Ortiz

International Law

Jean-Pierre Murray

Murray joined the Government (International Relations) department as an assistant professor in fall 2023. His research and teaching interests include critical security studies, migration, human trafficking, Latin America and the Caribbean. In his course, Murray introduces core principles of international law, exploring contemporary issues and debates, and inviting students—through the lens of unfolding current events—to critically examine “whether and how international law remains relevant.”

History of Medicine in the U.S.

Tamara Venit-Shelton

Venit-Shelton, who teaches an upper-division “History of Medicine” research methods class, wanted to meet the need of CMC students who “seem increasingly interested in asking questions about medical science and society, public health, and inequalities.” She designed her new history course as an “introductory-level survey that exposed students to the major questions in the field and gave them practice with critical reading and writing about those questions in the context of American history,” she said. “My goal is to create a course that is both a foundation for students studying science, health economics, and public policy, and a gateway for students who will go on to more advanced course work in ‘History of Medicine’ and the medical humanities.”

the hub

CMS Seasonal Summary

New records, new championships, new heights. This academic year has continued a tradition of excellence for CMS Athletics, with the promise of even more outstanding achievements to come. Here are highlights from our fall and winter seasons.

Last minute heroics: CMS men’s water polo earned its first national title in program history at the USA Water Polo National Finals with a dramatic 6-5 comeback win over their SCIAC rivals, University of Redlands. The climactic victory came after two Donovan Davidson ‘26 goals in the final 1:41—including the winner with 48 seconds left. “I don’t think we ever got rattled being in such a close game. We are comfortable in those situations, and the two great goals at the end of the game to lift us up were phenomenal,” said CMS Head Coach Greg Lonzo.

Photos courtesy of CMS Athletics and by Anibal Ortiz

Separated by seconds: The CMS women’s cross country team finished fourth in one of the closest NCAA Division III Championship races ever, with the top four teams separated by only seven points. Natalie Bitetti ’24 tied the highest finish for any CMS cross country runner (second)—a precursor for another runner-up finish (this time in the 3000 meters) at the winter NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. Bitetti was also on the third-place distance medley team with Riley Capuano ’26, Shriya Velichala ’26, and Laura Zimmer ’24, finishing just .31 seconds behind the champions from WPI.

Electric atmosphere: Roberts Pavilion was rockin’ thanks to CMS Athletics hosting the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship for the first time. After winning both the SCIAC and NCAA Regionals, the Athenas delighted the home crowd with a dominant win over top-seeded UW-Oshkosh in the quarterfinals. However, their gallant comeback effort in the semifinals left them just short in a 3-2 loss to Hope College. It was the Athenas' third-ever visit to the NCAA Division III Semifinals.

Making history: Following an incredible string of games in the final weeks of the season, the CMS men’s basketball team advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time ever. After beating Cal Lutheran for the SCIAC Championship, CMS toppled St. Thomas (Tex.) and Whitworth College—leading to the program milestone—before falling 74-70 to Nebraska Wesleyan in a heartbreaker. Josh Angle ’23 finished his career as the No. 3 all-time scorer in CMS history and alltime leader in threes.

Watch our video

Learn more about how Josh Angle ’23 has been driven by responsible leadership as a standout scholar who just happens to be a Division III First-Team All American for CMS basketball. Follow Angle’s journey by visiting CMC’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@claremontmckenna

Investing in Future Leaders

Guided by an unwavering commitment to our founding mission, Claremont McKenna’s evolution, growth, and success will endure for future generations of responsible leaders in business, government, and the professions. The College seeks to build upon the incredible foundation of its record-breaking Campaign for CMC: Responsible Leadership and further elevate the CMC experience, expand opportunities, and impact the lives of our students.

The continued support of our community is incredibly powerful—and there is still so much to be done. Here are a few recent highlights from major strategic and philanthropic efforts across the College.

Robert Day Sciences Center: Reaching a Significant Milestone

As the final structural steel beam was lowered into place, the CMC community celebrated the completion of the framework for the new Robert Day Sciences Center (RDSC) at a March “Topping Out” ceremony. To mark the occasion, CMC community members, local government officials, and representatives from architectural firm, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group (who designed the RDSC), gathered together at the site of the future 142,000-square-foot facility. The last piece of the steel puzzle—signed by members of the project team, CMC trustees, and community members—represented a significant milestone toward realizing Phase One of the College’s Master Plan to develop the Roberts Campus and construct the home for the new Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences (KDIS).

Photos by Anibal Ortiz, Chad McElroy ’26, and drone photo courtesy of Bach Le

To learn more about how to contribute to these opportunities, click the Giving tab at the top right of the www.cmc.edu homepage.

Investing in Future Leaders

Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences: Curricular Innovation and Development

During the spring semester, members of the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences (KDIS) Advisory Council gathered on CMC’s campus to assess progress and discuss important next steps for the program. Together, the group of prominent leaders in their fields and founding KDIS faculty (including Jason Keller, Professor of Ecology, pictured at top right) explored what CMC has learned from its first course offerings, how those lessons will inform the future of the curriculum, and opportunities to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and deep connections to other disciplines. The visit included a tour of the construction site of the Robert Day Sciences Center; for many, a first look at the iconic future home of CMC’s science program.

The Roberts Campus: Sports Bowl Ready to Proceed

“The faculty, council members, and College leadership team had exciting conversations on both far-ranging opportunities and specific curricular issues. The council was especially enthusiastic about the new Codes of Life course—now in its third offering—that provides all CMC students with opportunities to engage in the process of discovery and innovation on socio-scientific challenges.”

– PROFESSOR RAN LIBESKIND-HADAS,

FOUNDING CHAIR OF THE KRAVIS DEPARTMENT OF INTEGRATED SCIENCES

Phase One of the Sports Bowl project—CMC’s custom athletics campus in the Collegeowned 75-acre parcel across Claremont Boulevard—is slated to begin construction later this year. The initial phase in the southern half of the parcel, which is part of the larger Roberts Campus expansion, includes new baseball and softball fields/stadiums, a new golf practice area, and a new stadium for track and field, football, and women’s lacrosse. Also scheduled: A new parking structure and an arcade that will connect the main CMC campus to the Sports Bowl.

The best-case scenario should see construction starting in the fall, said Matthew Bibbens ’92, Vice President of Campus Planning and Capital Projects and Special Counsel—with the duration taking approximately 24 months, assuming no unforeseen delays. “It will be particularly exciting to see actual day-to-day activity—notably, the earthwork— taking place as we reclaim an abandoned quarry, transforming it into what will be an incredible enhancement for CMS Athletics and the community,” Bibbens added.

Phase One of the Sports Bowl; more development to come

The Open Academy: Constructive Dialogue Across Campus

Sponsored by the Valach Family—Ken and Janie ’82— and The Open Academy, a special alumni program drew members of CMC’s Res Publica Society, Crown Society, and 1946 Legacy Partners to Orange County at the start of the spring semester. The event was highlighted by New York Times opinion writer and linguistics professor John McWhorter’s talk, “Word Wars: Wokeism and the Battle Over Language.” McWhorter also spoke to a capacity crowd at the Athenaeum later in the evening.

“We’re being taught that there are natural ways of expressing ourselves that we should learn to tamp down, that we should think very hard about the way we say almost anything that once again is genuinely interesting. We’re supposed to exist in a fight of ongoing linguistic discomfort,” McWhorter (pictured at top right with President Chodosh) shared while discussing prescriptivism, or attempts to enforce how language should be.

As part of its programmatic expansion with students, The Open Academy has also hosted a series of Flipped Ath events and Saturday Salons on timely topics. The Salons, curated by professors and research institutes with help from Open Academy student fellows, are specifically intended to encourage constructive dialogue among small groups in an informal environment, said Heather Ferguson and Jon Shields, Faculty Co-Directors of The Open Academy. Salons often continue with dinner at a CMC professor’s home or at a local restaurant.

Among the Salon conversations this spring: U.S. Policy on Israel and the Gaza War with James Gelvin, Hicham Bou Nassif, and Hilary Appel; The 2024 Presidential Election (middle and bottom photos) with Zach Courser ’99, Andy Busch, Lily Geismer, Thomas Kim, and Shields; The Economics of Climate Resilience with William Ascher and Branwen Williams; and American Inequality with Matt Bruenig and Patrick Brown.

“During a recent Salon dinner at Professor Hilary Appel’s home, a number of students expressed how much they valued the opportunity to have an open, respectful, and wide-ranging discussion about Gaza. For the participants in that Salon, it was a reminder of why they chose CMC.”

—PROFESSORS HEATHER FERGUSON AND JON SHIELDS, FACULTY CO-DIRECTORS OF THE OPEN ACADEMY

Photos courtesy of Claire Vlases '25 and Robin Loznak/Our Children's Trust

Claire Vlases '25 enjoying one of her happy places, Glacier National Park in Montana.

Fighting for the Future

Fueled by a love of nature— and sweet home Montana— Claire Vlases ’25 didn’t want to wait to make a difference

STORY BY ANNE BERGMAN

Claire Vlases ’25 made a powerful impact on her hometown of Bozeman, Montana when she was in high school, galvanizing her community to install solar panels on the roofs of local schools and helping to shape the city’s Climate Plan.

Her motivation: She loves her state.

“I grew up on a small farm in Montana and so I care about the land and want to do things to make sure that people and places are protected,” said Vlases, a junior majoring in Computer Science and Ethics. “I wouldn’t call myself an environmental activist. I’m just someone who cares a lot about my farm and the mountains that surround my town and my state.”

Her efforts, fueled by youthful verve, were not without frustrating challenges, such as authoring climate legislation that ultimately didn’t go her way. But she persevered. When Vlases was invited in 2020 to join a landmark lawsuit, Held v. Montana, with 15 other young Montana plaintiffs, she seized the opportunity to “ensure a safe environment for everybody.”

Not yet of voting age when she joined the suit, Vlases was motivated in part to harness the power of the judicial branch. “There are three branches of government, and I didn’t feel represented in at least one of them. And so, I figured there are different means of creating change, even when you can’t vote. I think it’s important to be proactive and make the most of our government system.”

Montana’s Constitution reads, “The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.” Held v. Montana argued that the state violated the Constitution by approving fossil fuel development and worsening climate change. Vlases was among the plaintiffs who took the stand in June 2023, testifying that the effects of wildfire smoke she and others experienced were like a “dystopian horror film,” except that “it’s real life. … that’s what us kids have to deal with.”

Drawn to CMC for its commitment to viewpoint diversity—”I always learn so much in my classes from people thinking about things differently. It’s a huge value of mine.”—the College’s mission to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions also resonates with her. Vlases plans to use her computer science and coding background and education “to do real good” in society. To not

just think about the best intentions and solutions, but act on them through policy or systemic change.

“I think responsible leadership is really in line with how I live my life,” she said. “When I think about other educational institutions, they’re focused on learning and bringing light to the world—and I agree with those ideas, too.

But CMC’s mission stands out to me. Responsible leadership is something we are taught here, and I see it in my friends. I see it in myself and my professors.”

As she simultaneously pursues an Ethics sequence at CMC, Vlases has the rare opportunity to apply what she’s learning on a worldwide scale. She recently shared her “big picture” views on climate at high-profile events such as the UN-USA 2024 Global Engagement summit in New York, where she was the closing plenary speaker. Following her work with the Montana lawsuit, Vlases also accepted TIME Magazine’s Earth Award on behalf of her fellow plaintiffs at a ceremony, saying, “to those who are tirelessly advocating for a safer future, this award is validation. Our voices matter, our passions and actions result in justice.”

While she’s enjoying her time in the spotlight, she’s more than content being a college student at CMC by taking advantage of opportunities such as a study abroad semester in New Zealand through the College’s Center for Global Education. Her heart also remains firmly planted in Montana.

Perhaps nothing better symbolizes how much Vlases loves her home state than her 2023 Gould Creative Works Fellowship project. She compiled a comprehensive field manual, Stopping to Smell Montana’s Wildflowers, sharing that she wants everyone to appreciate “the natural beauty of Western Montana and hopefully inspire conservation efforts.

“I want everyone to take time to smell the roses.”

Game Changer

Success on the court spurred Henry Albrecht ’91 P’23 P’26 to bring his competitive drive to the business of well-being

STORY

A 2024 inductee into the CMS Hall of Fame, Henry Albrecht ’91 P’23 P’26 was SCIAC Player of the Year as a junior and finished his basketball career with 1,267 points.

BY THOMAS ROZWADOWSKI

Photo by Tom Zasadzinski

Prior to being inducted as a 2024 member of the Ted Ducey CMS Hall of Fame, Henry Albrecht ’91 P’23 P’26 had time to reflect on a few of his proudest achievements as a scholarathlete at CMC.

At the top: The team’s lesser-known “Hustle Award” he received as a sophomore center playing for Coach David Wells ’72.

“Before the Hall of Fame, that’s the award I was most proud of,” Albrecht said. “It means that I was working hard by diving for loose balls, taking charges, doing the little things—and that’s the kind of teammate I aspired to be. Someone who would lead by example and give all of my effort.”

For Albrecht, being at CMC as an adult hasn’t been uncommon given that his son, Alexander ’23, was a recent graduate, and daughter, Josephine ’26, is still attending. But returning for the CMS Hall of Fame ceremony in January allowed him an opportunity to be more introspective and think about who he was—and aspired to be—while in his early 20s.

A Literature and Economics major at CMC, Albrecht said the combination of rigorous academics and athletics provided him with the ultimate liberal arts experience. The collective lessons would also propel his eventual success in business as the founder of Limeade, an employee wellbeing software platform that he started in 2006. The company went public in 2019 and was recently purchased by WebMD.

Originally from Seattle, Albrecht said he was fortunate to have access to so many dynamic experiences at CMC. “The teamwork, the leadership, the hard work—I was so lucky to get that from basketball. But I also took advantage of creativity, communication, and problemsolving—how to craft a vision and a story. That all came from Literature. Then there was the practicality, logic, and decision making from Economics,” Albrecht said. “To me, those three elements, plus the friends and connections I made at CMC, helped prepare me for everything I’ve experienced in life.”

After graduation, Albrecht played professional basketball in Portugal for a year. He took a variety of jobs before earning his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. An inspiring career stop at Intuit, a business software specialist in Silicon Valley, gave

him the confidence to execute on a longpercolating idea about work culture—or more specifically, how to measure and improve human well-being in a work world often at odds with human health.

Albrecht put his life savings into the company and started it in his basement. He eventually partnered with Dr. Laura Hamill, an organizational psychologist from Microsoft, and together they applied scientific thinking to well-being, mental health, and burnout to reinforce a novel vision of wider organizational support—or what he called “the science of care.”

“If people perceive that their company cares about them, they will stay longer. They will tell their friends to come work there. They won’t burn out and quit,” Albrecht said. “And they’ll be like great teammates on a sports team. They’ll show up on time, love what they do, get through the hard times with resilience and grit, and perform better. But it’s all about putting the right tools in place.”

“I just love the game. Even in my work career, I’ve always said, ‘I want to be in the game.’”

Despite plenty of doubters while Albrecht was raising capital, he never wavered in his vision for Limeade. Never took no for an answer. Maybe it was the competitive athlete in him; the consummate hustle player who loved practice and pickup games as much as the real thing.

It’s what also informs his advice to CMC students today—and why he gets a gleam in his eye when he teases his next career move, saying simply, “stay tuned.”

“I just love the game. Even in my work career, I’ve always said, ‘I want to be in the game.’

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a preschool teacher, a health care worker, a politician, a business leader—whatever it is. You have to remind yourself that you can be a disruptor, an innovator. That your decisions actually matter to the world we’re making together,” Albrecht said. “But first, you have to be willing to get in the game.”

Far-Reaching Tentacles

Photo by Alexa Viscius

Nearly two years after publishing Remarkably Bright Creatures, author Shelby Van Pelt ’02 and her eight-armed hero continue to delight readers— and remain atop the best-seller list

STORY BY ANNE BERGMAN

If you read Remarkably Bright Creatures and then recommended the book to a friend, Shelby Van Pelt ’02 wants to thank you.

Her debut novel, narrated in part by a curmudgeonly giant octopus named Marcellus, was published in the spring of 2022—and generated enthusiastic word-of-mouth sales that propelled it to the top of the nation’s best-seller lists.

Today, the book is still going strong, selling more than 1.5 million copies and earning a front-page story in The New York Times, among other notable accomplishments. It was also recently optioned by Anonymous Content for a feature-length film.

“I will always maintain that the highest compliment anyone can give an author is to personally recommend their work to a friend. And on that count, I’ve collected more compliments than anyone ever deserves. The grassroots growth is truly incredible,” Van Pelt said.

The book’s “wild idea” arrived while she was “watching YouTube videos of a captive octopus who was an escape artist. I thought it would be a fun voice to write, so I did,” said Van Pelt. She further explored the character of Marcellus in a writing workshop through a continuing education program at a local university. “Ten years later, I had a book.”

She likened the accomplishment of holding the published book in her hands as “a bit like seeing a custom concoction made of your soul and your brain, bottled up and packaged neatly for a retail shelf. … For me, and I’m sure for many fiction writers, our stories are rooted in our own anxieties and experiences. You’re putting it out there, and people are going to be rightfully entitled to their opinions.”

The novel’s sustained success has expanded Van Pelt’s book tour and included talks before large gatherings—among them, an Athenaeum audience in October 2023, when she was the first CMCer to speak as part of this year’s 40th Anniversary series.

Invited by her former Philosophy Professor Amy Kind, Van Pelt described speaking at the Ath as “thrilling, but a bit scary. … So many important, esteemed, influential speakers have come through the Ath. If you asked me back in 1998, as a new CMC student, whether I thought I would earn a place among them. … well, I think I would have been confused!”

Reflecting on how CMC professors have influenced her, Van Pelt notes that while fiction writing is “quite different than writing a college paper,” Professor Jack Pitney’s voice has remained in her head since she graduated cum laude

As she built a career as a financial consultant, and throughout the 10 years she spent working on Remarkably Bright Creatures—and now the writing of a second novel—the image of Pitney’s “red pen crossing things out when I’m revising a draft” has persisted. His principles of “efficiency and effectiveness” still apply.

Upon her first visit to CMC, the Tacoma, Wash. native was impressed by the “vibe of intellectual curiosity and the discussions that spilled over into dorm rooms and dining halls. Having a debate about literature or philosophy was a cool, normal thing to do at CMC. I felt like I’d found my people.”

Among her best finds: future husband Drew Van Pelt ’02. The pair first met on a memorable WOA trip to the Sierra Nevada, strengthening their friendship as dorm mates (Phillips) and eventual PPE majors. They are raising their two children together in the suburbs of Chicago.

Noting that you “don’t have to identify as artsy to be an artist,” Van Pelt retains a deep CMC connection by serving on the Gould Center for Humanistic Studies’ Board of Advisors. While back on campus in October, she caught an inspired glimpse of life at the College, describing her interactions with current CMCers as “enough to put some pep in my middle-aged step. At the risk of sounding trite, it gave me more hope for the future.”

Due to her slow-simmering success as a fiction writer, Van Pelt also hopes she can be “a resource for students and alumni who are curious about the part of them that’s drawn to writing, music, art, but have one foot firmly planted in something like economics, accounting, or science.

“Because that was me! And those things are not inherently incompatible.”

Growing Globally

Thanks to CMC’s Appel Fellowship, Julian Rivera-Williams ’25 has learned more about himself—and his future goals

Julian Rivera-Williams ’25 has always wondered about his multicultural heritage. His mother, Evi Rivera, traces her roots to a village in central Puerto Rico. His father, Peter Williams, is a third-generation New Yorker of African descent with family ties in Panama. Last year, Rivera-Williams started digging into his roots with an Ancestry DNA kit. The results were intriguing.

“My top two ethnicities are Nigerian, at 23 percent, and Spanish, at 20 percent,” he said. His Puerto Rican ancestry finished a distant fifth, behind Cameroonian and Portuguese. Completely unexpected were the traces of Germanic European, Northwestern European, Scottish, and Russian.

Using the DNA test as his travel advisor, Rivera-Williams, who grew up in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, set out to explore the world, keeping a journal of his experiences and snapping photographs. An Appel Fellowship took him to

Photos by Anibal Ortiz; main photo courtesy of Julian Rivera-Williams '25

Puerto Rico, Portugal, and Spain in 2022 and sparked a desire to dig more deeply into his cultural heritage.

Entering its ninth year, the fellowship—started by Joel Appel ’87 P’20—provides firstyear students with funding to support purposeful, independent experiences that culminate in a meaningful and substantial writing project. Since its launch in 2015, 135 CMCers have visited 22 states and 48 countries.

An entrepreneur who majored in Economics and History at CMC, Appel founded Orange Glo International and co-founded Launch Pad. He shared how a conversation with CMC President Hiram Chodosh led him to follow his dream of becoming involved with humanities and writing at the College.

“‘What if we sent students to have unique experiences and write about them?’” Appel recalled as President Chodosh’s suggestion. “I said, ‘Done.’ I didn’t even need to see the details. And it’s turned out to be wonderful.”

In Puerto Rico for his Appel Fellowship, Rivera-Williams connected with his mother’s side of the family. His cousins welcomed him into their San Juan home, took him sight-seeing around the capital, and on an excursion to Barrio Nuevo, a mountain village of 4,000 in Naranjito, where he learned more about his mother’s childhood from her close relatives.

Hardly anyone spoke English. “I felt like I learned more Spanish in 30 minutes than I had living in the Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights for the past 12 years,” Rivera-Williams wrote in his journal.

After Puerto Rico, Rivera-Williams traveled to Spain and Portugal. He has no known relatives to connect with in Europe, so he backpacked through Lisbon, Nazaré, Porto, Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, immersing himself in the cultures of his ancestors. Later that summer, RiveraWilliams traveled to Ghana on an NAACP Amos C. Brown Fellowship, which included several excursions to seaside ports where Rivera-Williams stood inside dungeons that once held enslaved West Africans bound for colonial ships.

It was a desire to improve his Spanish so he could converse with his great-grandmother that compelled Rivera-Williams’ return to Spain this past fall semester. An International Relations major with an Economics concentration, he studied abroad at Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville. Rivera-Williams dug into his courses in business communications, global economics, European art policy, and, of course, advanced Spanish.

Next, Rivera-Williams plans to explore more of his European heritage. Trips to Germany, Holland, and the United Kingdom are on his to-do list.

Back on campus, Rivera-Williams is active in the Commercial Real Estate Club and Black Men in Leadership, as he cultivates a career goal to work in commercial real estate investment and development. He interned with Monachil Capital Partners in Greenwich, Conn. and this summer will join Brixmor Property Group in New York City as a financial asset management intern. Rivera-Williams has also taken on several leadership roles, including his work as a program manager for Project Destined, representing CIM Group, a major real estate company.

With several real estate certifications and licensing credentials under his belt, RiveraWilliams is positioning himself to capitalize on a global perspective that continues to deepen and expand.

“I see a lot of opportunity in Africa. In fact, I’m thinking of buying land in Rwanda,” he said. “In 10 years, it could quintuple in value.”

— Story by Diane Krieger, contributions by Anne Bergman and Gilien Silsby

The Legacy of John E. Allen ’ 73

The generosity and commitment of the late John E. Allen ’73 has made an extraordinary impact on dozens of CMCers, including Julian RiveraWilliams ’25.

Established by Allen and CMC Trustee Rossi Russell ’71 more than three decades ago, the John E. Allen Alumni Merit Award today helps students who come from underrepresented communities or show a demonstrated commitment to underrepresented communities.

Allen’s scholarship—awarded to 87 students so far—continues to guide responsible leaders, like RiveraWilliams, a New York City native.

“I’d like to thank the founders of the John Allen Scholarship, and those who have acknowledged my academic achievements and commitment to my future development through awarding me money towards completing my unparalleled educational experience at CMC,” said Rivera-Williams. “Their commitment to my success has empowered me to focus on my commercial real estate career aspirations, while I worry less about the burden of affording college.”

Without the generosity of the funding, “I never would have been able to afford CMC, nor would I have decided to make the trek all the way to California.”

One of 11 Black students to graduate from his class, Allen majored in Political Science and played football during his undergraduate years. Allen was the first Black president of the CMCAA Board of Directors, elected for the 1990-1991 term. In 1998, he received the Jack L. Stark ’57 GP’11 Distinguished Service Award for his commitment to the College, the Alumni Association, and the alumni of CMC. In 2001, after Allen’s sudden death, the College renamed the fund in his honor, calling it the John E. Allen Merit Award.

This map, presented to Joel Appel ’87 P’20 as a gift from CMC, represents the locations where Appel Fellows have traveled to and written about since 2015.

Students

CMCAA president’s message

Dear Alumni:

What an amazing year in Claremont McKenna College's history! As alumni, this was truly a time to be proud of! It is also an opportunity to reflect on the College’s achievements in our 78-year history. We broke ground on the Robert Day Sciences Center, saw the vision of the Roberts Campus come to life, and completed the historic Campaign for CMC: Responsible Leadership that raised nearly $1.1 billion. The Alumni Association should be particularly proud of this accomplishment, as more than 12,200 alumni made a gift to the campaign. Your overwhelming dedication was tremendous.

And there is so much more to look forward to! I am particularly grateful for the amazing work that the CMCAA Board has accomplished by creating wonderful programs in our local chapters—in addition to virtual and campus events. The vast array of programs is a fantastic opportunity to connect, network, and stay current on what is happening at CMC and in the world. I hope each of you will make it a point to get involved this year—whether it is attending an event, connecting with a longtime friend, helping a student, or participating in one of our many virtual educational programs.

A special highlight this year—that I hope you will consider—is our first Worldmeet in Asia. We would love for you to join us in Singapore from June 12 to 16.

Another wonderful event is Alumni Weekend 2024, which runs from May 30 to June 2. From faculty lectures to dining under the stars and family-friendly fun at Stag-a-Palooza, Alumni Weekend is packed with programs that you won’t want to miss. Reconnect with your favorite professors and catch up with classmates while enjoying the relaxing Alumni Club, and try your luck at Monte Carlo Night—a cherished tradition at CMC. And, of course, you can stay on campus in a residence hall of your choice. Alumni Weekend is for all alumni, but we are paying close attention to classes ending in 4 and 9.

Speaking of alumni connections, an area of focus that I am particularly proud of is our new Engage platform at engage. cmc.edu. We now have more than 3,000 alumni registered with Engage, serving as a tremendous way for you to stay connected and learn about what is happening at CMC, in addition to serving as our alumni directory. I would encourage each of you to complete your profile and customize your experience with CMC. This will be your place to find information about upcoming activities, networking opportunities, mentoring needs, and the latest on what is happening in your local CMC networks. In addition, the Engage directory has search features you cannot find anywhere else. You can refine your results by class year, major, location, and even residence hall. Register today to connect with CMC alumni, classmates, and students.

With gratitude, Crescit cum commercio civitas!

Scott Torrey

’91 P’23 P’26

President CMC Alumni

Association

’55

Tom Bernstein writes, “Seeing (on TV) CMC’s award-winning float in last year’s Rose Parade reminded me of my freshman year, attending the 1952 parade and Rose Bowl football game. It all started with a gala New Year’s Eve party at Stan Agar’s home on a hill in Flintridge, overlooking the East side of the Rose Bowl. I stayed overnight at Stan’s. Stan’s father was a stock broker whose office was on Colorado Boulevard, across the street from where the Norton Simon Museum is now located. The following morning, New Year’s Day, we viewed the Rose Parade and enjoyed Bloody Marys on the office building’s rooftop. Returning to Stan’s house after the parade, I went out their back gate and walked down the hill to the Rose Bowl and met my parents, who were down from Palo Alto for the Stanford/Illinois game. The Agars also had a home in Corona Del Mar, walking distance to Little Corona beach, and we and a few classmates spent a couple of Easter Weeks sleeping in the dome on top of the house. Bob Howard, who attended the New Year’s Eve party, remembers Stan’s mother doing card readings at our Freshman Dance. “Buzz Hinckley enjoyed a pre-Covid trip to Washington, D.C. with honor flights and found it very rewarding. Since then, he’s cut back on his traveling, is in good health and staying physically active up in Central California.”

Tom Bernstein ’55 tlbernstein@earthlink.net

’59 ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

Bob Beasley reports, “Amy and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and will leave on a three-week vacation and cruise through the Panama Canal to Peru. A lifelong dream comes true. Both the marriage and the trip!

“We are looking forward to seeing as many of the ’59ers that can make it to our 65th reunion May 30 - June

2, 2024 for Alumni Weekend at CMC. Please make your plans now to be with us!”

Bob Beasley ’59 bobbeasley38@gmail.com

’64 ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

Blake Gibbs writes, “Esther and I are very well. We are grateful to the Lord for that. We retired from directing Agape Children’s Ministry in 2019, where we helped rescue street children and other at-risk children in Kenya. We are now enjoying our five grandkids and our three greatgrandkids. We celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary this past July. We do have a significant event to share with you. I have written and published the story of Esther’s family and their lives as missionaries in the remote, dense jungles of Liberia, West Africa. Their story is one of unbelievable adventure—facing deadly snakes, marauding leopards, rampaging elephants, terrifying airplane crashes, and the unrelenting jungle surrounding them. (Esther’s dad was the original Indiana Jones!). Beyond that, it is a story of God’s faithfulness, provision, protection, mercy, and grace under circumstances that would have defeated most of us. It is a story of the family’s faith and courage that is both inspiring and challenging. The book is titled Jungle Courage. It is available in paperback, e-book, and hardcover editions on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and WestBow Press Bookstore. Hope you’ll consider reading it. I think you will enjoy it and be amazed by their true story.”

John Heaton writes, “Ann and I are still living in Central Florida and are not traveling as much as we once did. We are likely to miss the reunion. I have had some health issues but am now as well as I have been in about three years. The first problem was a broken leg from a fall at home. An emergency room doctor set the leg badly and I had it redone about a year later. Then it became infected, and I had three

additional surgeries before I was done. The last operation was in July 2022 and the leg is now strong and healthy. Adding to the problem, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and have impaired balance. I use a walker to get around so I am somewhat limited in my activities. I have not played golf since I broke my leg but enjoy playing tournament bridge with Ann as my partner about three times a week. The most recent episode was a badly infected left eye that was ultimately removed. I now have a well-appearing but sightless prosthetic eye and am not significantly limited on this account. I can drive and read well, although I am avoiding high-speed roads. All in all, I am in good spirits and enjoying my later years.”

Steve McClintock writes, “Coming from Arcadia High School, I thought I was well prepared to start college. It was quickly and readily apparent that there were many smart, motivated guys in our freshman class — as I recall, about 190. As I further recall, in my freshman English class, most of us were receiving D’s and F’s up until about the last four weeks of the semester. We learned big words and long sentences did not trump organization, clarity, and simpler words. One of the greatest takeaways from CMC was to become a more effective writer and communicator of words — both orally and in written form. Second, I recall taking a required course in statistics. Professor Hollerman said on the first day: ‘This class is really about how everyone lies, manipulates, and deceives us with statistics and data.’ He said we had to get into how the data was collected, were the numbers accurate, and were the results skewed to prove a preordained conclusion. CMC helped me become more analytical, more inquisitive, more critical in my thinking, and seek the why of things.

“Upon graduation, I was commissioned a second lieutenant and sent to the artillery school at Ft. Sill, OK. Then, was reassigned to Korea for 13 months and became a Battery Commander. On two R&R’s,

I spent a week in Japan and a week in Hong Kong. I knew I wanted to work overseas. In January 1967, I went to the graduate business school at Berkeley and received an MBA in Finance. In May 1968, I was hired by Citibank International into their Asia-Pacific Division. Over 36 years with Citibank, we lived in San Francisco, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, New York, Minneapolis, Athens (Middle East/Africa Division), Helsinki and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — 25 years overseas. In addition, I was able to maintain my reserve military status and retired as a Colonel in the Civil Affairs/Military Government branch. We now live in Arizona and ride horses.

I just wanted to say that CMC was the springboard for the rest of my life and I am always grateful to CMC, the professors, and fellow classmates for being the basis and springboard for my life. I have been blessed by my CMC experience. The fact so many of you have done so well is a further testament to the value of our shared experience.”

Steven Hallgrimson writes, “It seems shocking that almost yesterday I graduated from CMC. My daily life seems to include a connection to CMC. It may be a phone call, an email or a joke from someone. Fast forward all of a sudden it is somebody that has a health problem. However, this month I attended an on-campus football practice starting at 6:30 a.m. We have a spectacular Occidental College graduate as football coach, Kyle Sweeney. Our athletic director, Erica Perkins Jasper, was an all-American tennis player at Washington State. I am working with both of them on a travel endowment plan for football. Not only are they competent, they are also an absolute delight.

“I still continue as a Pomona KD honorary member. We have our Christmas function every year in San Francisco although attendance is declining every year because of the ravages of age. The Tortugas also have the same problem. Alcohol is no longer a problem.

“Telephone and email contacts are great. Richard Rosin has the raunchiest jokes; I see Dennis Higman ’63 every year in Sun Valley, Idaho; and I still talk to Steve Graves who was an All-American football player after he transferred to Mt. Sac. Tom Kennedy still sounds as if he was 18 years old when I first met him. My biggest surprise is that everyone’s voice has not changed in 60 years. “All of that and now CMC is planning to double in size with the acquisition of the 75- acre adjacent parcel to the south. I know I would not be admitted today.”

Bill Dawson writes, “What I would like to contribute at our upcoming class reunion is an appreciation of what CMC has contributed to all of us. Almost every classmate with whom I have communicated over the past years has referred to the Humanities requirements that existed in CMC at that time. That survey of the thoughts and philosophical underpinnings of our intellectual history, from the Greeks to the present time (usually abbreviated as ’Western Civ.’), has over the years since been for the most part supplanted by various other teaching priorities: racial awareness, gender equality, and now STEM. These all have their value, but I think we were particularly rewarded by those two years of courses at CMC which gave us insights to how we got to where we are. While I don’t reflect on Plato’s Theory of Forms every day, the discussions about these and other abstruse matters was the beginning of my own real education. For that, and many other things (particularly, small classes) I will always be grateful to CMC.”

Larry Berger writes, “Diana and I have 14 grandchildren . . . from two families. Ages are two to 19, living and studying in this country, Indonesia, and Europe. We spend much of our time with the grandchildren, participating in their school activities, sports and neighborhood events. Each year, we carve out time for family events, where all members are invited. Post Covid, we have enjoyed trips to

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Africa, the Norwegian fjords, Hawaii, Bali and the family mountain home in Grand Lake, Colo. They are the great joy of our senior years.”

Richard Rosin writes, “I left CMC with two gifts. A great education and a lifelong friend in Steve Hallgrimson. I’m too old to remember anything else.”

Tom Kennedy writes, “Here are some reflections for classmates prior to our reunion. “Joanna (who was my surprise date for the 1962 Starlight Ball in Palm Springs, Calif., flown to California from Connecticut by roommate Richard C. Smith with financial help from our parents in Connecticut!) and I were married in August 1964. We will celebrate our 60th anniversary this summer after our college reunions! Joanna and I have lived for 48 years and raised our family in the same house in Brookline, Mass. We have three grown children and now eight grandchildren.

“My last trip to CMC was in 2018, visiting the campus before attending the Red Sox WS victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

“I was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in May 1969 and have spent my entire professional life in Boston. I spent 21 years in parish ministry; then, for 19 years worked in the banking world overseeing implementation of the Community Reinvestment Act for three different banks headquartered in Boston. I transitioned from a parish priest to a worker priest! My family wanted to stay in Boston. I accommodated them by finding a position in banking!

“In retirement (2008), if you can call it that (I still am called upon to do occasional marriage and funerals), I remain chair (volunteer) of the board of trustees of a skilled nursing/ rehabilitation (182 beds) facility in Boston. I am also president of one of the oldest charitable societies in the US of A — Boston Episcopal Charitable Society — founded in 1724 and celebrating our 300th birthday in 2024!

“Joanna and I are well. Total right knee replacement this year reminded me of football and baseball injuries from 1960-64!”

Steven Hallgrimson ’64 steven.hallgrimson@berliner.com

Bill Dawson ’64 billdaws@comcast.net

Larry Berger ’64 laurencewberger@gmail.com

’65

Malcolm Starr reports that, “On April 8, 2023, my 80th birthday, I was joined by Dick Cline at the Brown-UPenn lacrosse game. We hadn’t seen each other since spring of ’63 when I transferred. I had the pleasure of playing soccer and lacrosse with Dick at Claremont, where he was an outstanding athlete. It was good fun catching up and swapping histories. We both had estate planning and probate work in common, he was an attorney and judge (!) while I just practiced. Three years ago, Dick moved to Plymouth, Mass., about an hour away, so after some back and forth we finally got together. Hopefully we’ll do it again.”

Ben Tunnell is “Still married to my college sweetheart, Sherry, from the first class at Pitzer College and celebrating our 58th anniversary in January. My daughter, a nonpracticing attorney, and her husband both work at our company (BTI Appraisal) and all is well!”

Richard Lewis writes, “I am rapidly approaching 80. I’m looking forward to the annual get together with Keith Nightingale, Tony Childs, Wally Dieckmann, Jim Pignatelli and Lee Livingston.”

Keith Nightingale reports, “Myself, Jim Pignatelli, Wally Dieckmann, Lee Livingston and Tony Childs held our semi-annual reunion at Richard Lewis’s vast baronial lodgings at Yellowstone Club. Libations and chow were consumed in inordinate quantities and absent personalities were mercilessly dissected. Our next incursion will be an invasion of Mexico. I just

published my fourth book, The Human Face of Day, with Casemate Publishers.

“I am assisting my daughter in Maui/Lahaina as she recovers and assists all who worked at Kimo’s Restaurant that were burnt out. Maui is still beautiful and unlike the publicity it has tons of tourists. Y’all come and bring $$$, spend lavishly remembering that most of the restaurant and hotel staff on the West side are living in community shelters.”

Joe Bradley ’65 jbradley2004@verizon.net

’66

Peter Armstrong Hall writes, “This past summer myself, my cousin, General James Armstrong, and my wife, Susan, visited our family in the Netherlands. We visited the Van Gogh Museum in Nuenen, Netherlands, saw close friends and helped Susan reconnect with her Dutch ancestry.

Philip Chrones added a note to say, “I am alive and well. Unfortunately, I have not retired yet. Not much free time between taking care of three small businesses and my wife who has Alzheimer’s.”

Robin Bartlett ’66 rbbartlett01@gmail.com

’67

In Memoriam: Steven Freeburg, age 79, of Pasadena, Calif., passed away on July 13, 2023. Dennis Mann commented that Steve had married one of the sharpest Pitzies in the Class of 1969, Karen Sue Cummins. They had kids, and both of them were attorneys (IIRC, they even worked together at the same firm for several years).

Daniel Sadler. It was noted by Bart Kimball that Danny had only been at CMC for our Freshman year so many may not remember him. He was a graduate of San Marino High School. Richard Julian. Richard entered CMC with the class of ’66 and

took the five year ME program graduating with our class. This led to a Bachelor’s degree in business from CMC and a Master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford. While at Stanford he met his future wife, Jana, and when she moved to Los Angeles for graduate school they married. They welcomed their two children, Christopher and Anne, and eventually relocated to Santa Barbara. Early retirement gave Rich opportunities to travel and photograph, including trips to Scotland and Peru, although his favorite destinations remained Yosemite, Death Valley, and Four Corners. As Alzheimer’s illness began to manifest, his life narrowed, and in his last year of life he moved to Villa Alamar to stay engaged and comfortable. In Richard’s memory, please raise a glass, join hands, and dance, or share a joke. His generous spirit and wry sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Michael Donovan. We were all deeply saddened at the loss of our popular classmate.

His wife, Candi Donovan provided the following tribute, “This is surreal, and I will miss him beyond words as he was my rock. But I am grateful he passed away in his home as he wanted. Michael was a man with many interests, but reading would be at the very top of the list. He was never without a book. We are not having a memorial or a service as the family is spread far and wide. We will take his ashes to his favorite hiking beach next summer.”

Joe Johnson offered the following memory of Michael, “In our sophomore year at CMC, I was the tailback on the CMC offense. We ran the USC offense and used a lopsided line. Michael was the pulling tackle/guard on the short side. Our quarterback (Frank Kelsey ’68) would quickly pitch to me on Michael’s side and Michael would pull out and take out the linebacker. I would gain 10 yards before anyone was near me. Michael was undersized for a tackle but was very quick and very bright. I enjoyed him as a teammate and as a student. He came to one reunion, and we had a chance to relive stories of those years. He was a great example of the CMC student athlete.”

Robin Bartlett added, “I could always count on ‘Donobug’ for an amusing class anecdote. He would give me lists of the latest books he’d read, the number of books in his library and humorous quips for all to enjoy.”

Jim Carson writes that in early November he wrapped up his seventh year of volunteering at Dulles International Airport as a member of the team that greets and

facilitates the arrivals and departures of Honor Flights from across the country. This national organization with numerous local chapters provides free trips for American military veterans to visit Washington, the war memorials, Arlington Cemetery, and other sites important to our veterans. With fewer and fewer World War II and Korean war veterans still alive and able to travel, the majority of Honor Flight veterans coming to Washington, D.C. now have served in Vietnam and a few from the Gulf Wars. For most of the Vietnam vets the greeting they receive at Dulles is the first time anyone has said “Welcome Home” to them. I urge my veteran classmates and others who served: if you haven’t made an Honor Flight, contact your local Honor Flight organization, and get on the list. Jim will be waiting to greet you when you arrive in Washington, D.C.: www.honorflight.org

Dennis Mann commented on the state of the public art now found throughout campus, “I echo Robert Heinlein, who said that sculpture artistry mostly ended with Rodin and his portrayals of real/realistic people.”

John Mazza contributed, “I recently had lunch with Trish and Paul McConnell here in Malibu, Calif. They just moved to Queensland, Australia after about 45 years in London, England. They are in love with Australia (Trish is a native). On the way back they are visiting Sally and Bruce Dunn who moved about a year ago to Sunset Beach on Oahu, Hawaii right across the street from my place. They have had a vacation home there for years and are now permanent residents. Bruce just bought a farm right up the hill and plans to establish a family compound.

“John “Bunjar” Pettit, Howard Slayen ’68 and families met up with Tom Burton ’68 and me for a road trip that ended up in Sedona, Ariz. for a week or so. We all meet every year and usually take different routes. Burton and I always take the route with a lot of trucks. We connected with Steve Griffith in Scottsdale, Ariz. for a mini Berger reunion.

Fred Merkin offered the following commentary from a communication he wrote encouraging classmates to donate to CMC. “CMC takes its undergraduate educational role seriously. How else can we explain that last year the College embarked on a cutting-edge science program with the founding of the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences to be housed in the Robert Day Sciences Center now under construction? Science disciplines have historically been taught in subject matter silos (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology). CMC’s integrated

“I

applaud the College for renaming an iconic building, formerly the ‘Living Room,’ to become known as ‘The Massoud.’ This recognizes the stellar teaching career of Professor Marc Massoud P’89. It’s great to see that CMC demands and recognizes excellence in instruction.”

—FRED MERKIN

’67

approach will instead organize the sciences around (i) Genomics, Systems Biology, and Health (GSH), (ii) Brain, Learning, and Decision Sciences (BLD), and (iii) Climate, Energy, and the Environment (CEE). The boldness of this science program at a college not focused on the sciences represents a recognition that graduates who aspire to leadership in business, government, and the professions increasingly need a sufficient background in the sciences. Similarly, I applaud the College for renaming an iconic building, formerly the ‘Living Room,’ to become known as ‘The Massoud.’ This recognizes the stellar teaching career of Professor Marc Massoud P’89. It’s great to see that CMC demands and recognizes excellence in instruction.”

Stephen Martin informs us that he is arranging for the installation of 200 water meters into Villa Nova, which is the Mexican neighborhood association that he runs. “A lot of different aspects show up when you switch from completely available, high pressure fresh water to individually metered water. I’m also treasurer of the Hospital de la Familia Foundation (www.hdlff. com), which supports a hospital near Guatemala’s border with Mexico. They’re doing fine this year but presently encountering road blockages in Guatemala. This is due to the disputed presidential election and results in the cancellation of traveling medical teams from the United States as well as difficulty for local doctors and patients moving around within Guatemala.”

I heard from Hal Bennett who offers the following news, “Effective Dec. 31, 2022, I resigned as President of Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co after a work career of 53+ years and have assumed an advisory role to our fourth-generation management team that has been doing the heavy lifting for the past five years or longer. For the foreseeable future I will remain a board member and a small shareholder. I am thankful for my CMC preparation that guided my

successful career and look forward to our next reunion together.”

I also heard from Guy Baker who writes that he is glad to report that 2023 has been a relatively uneventful year for him. “We continue to bounce between Tennessee and California. One grandson-in-love had a near tragic motorcycle accident but lived to tell the tale – a true miracle. I am still actively handling client matters and playing golf as often as I can sneak out. Our family grew by twins, adding to the great grandchildren list as we continue to watch the development of our wonderful family. Colleen and I renewed our marriage contract for the 56th time, with no amendments. Hoping you all have had a great year, as most of us have reached 79 and are getting nearer to the 80 mark. Blessings to all.”

Sandy Mackie sent the following message, “I have recently enjoyed the opportunity to join an email chain with Dennis Mann, Jim Carson, John Pettit, Van Smith, Martin Kaplan and 10-15 others who share thoughts from time to time ranging from the serious to the comedic to the sublime (count Van Smith in here). Critical thinkers all from a wide variety of philosophies and points of view. Good to renew old acquaintances and make new friends. If you’d like to join us, write to dkmann4@yahoo.com as he is the ringleader.”

Aaron Fuller provided a fascinating story of his trip to Scotland in October to attend the International Churchill Society Conference. “Sharon and I have been involved with the Society since March 2001 when we were part of the commissioning of the U.S.S. Winston S. Churchill, Guided Missile Destroyer DDG 81, in Norfolk, Va.

“The conference includes Churchill family members such as great grandchildren Randolph, Marina, and Jennie, prominent historians, and authors such as Sonia Purnell, and military and business leaders and attendees from several countries

Family Weekend 2024

More than 900 family members and friends flocked to campus to experience CMC through the eyes of their students—enjoying the opportunity to see faculty in action, hear President Hiram Chodosh review the College’s achievements and aspirations, and discover the programs that distinguish CMC. President Chodosh presented the annual Jil Stark ’58 GP’11 Parent Volunteer Award to Robin and Bobby Lee P’24, (middle) with Stark providing the introduction. The award recognizes and honors CMC parents who have contributed in a meaningful way to the mission of the College. In addition, Allison Aldrich P’24, (left) president of the CMC Parent Network Board, interviewed President Chodosh during the Q&A portion of the program.

(Yanks and Brits predominate) who enjoy the dialogues of history.

“For those interested, next year’s conference is in London and will be celebrating Churchill’s 150th birthday. The program has not been announced but with Churchill’s 150th as a center point it should be rich in historical reflection.”

This note was received from Frank Petterson who writes, “I don’t have much of a contribution in me right now, other than to say I’m still alive and fairly well considering all my medical travails. At 78, playing Mr. Potato Head becomes a main occupation. Keep smiling, all!”

Another fascinating note was received from John Percy. He wins the “all-time greatest class traveler award” with this contribution.

“In January, I spent 35 busy days traveling in Southeast Asia. My private tour included Indonesia and five countries I’ve never

visited before: Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Palau, and Brunei. Some of the Vietnam highlights were the temples and pagodas in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), an overnight cruise on Halong Bay, a cruise to Phonh Nha Cave, a Mekong Delta river cruise, the Champa temples of My Son, and the beautiful Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture. Malaysia included Kuala Lumpur, the historic cities of Malacca and Penang, and the island of Borneo where I visited sanctuaries for orangutans, sun bears, and proboscis monkeys. In Brunei, I visited the great mosque and took a river cruise through the capital city where I saw crocodiles sleeping on the riverbanks. On Komodo Island, Indonesia, I saw a female Komodo dragon digging a nest. My guide took me snorkeling on a nearby island. In Bali, I watched the Kecak Fire Dance at the Uluwatu Temple perched on a promontory overlooking the ocean.

No operas on this trip, but I saw the exterior of the opera houses in Hanoi and Saigon.

“In March, I added Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to my list of countries visited. 147 countries so far. I traveled to Europe seven times for opera and to New York four times for art exhibitions, theater, and opera. In August, I flew to Italy on Monday, saw four operas (three for the first time) by Rossini at the Festival in Pesaro and returned to St. Louis on Friday in time for Ragtime on Saturday and my weekly pool party on Sunday. I have now seen all but one of Rossini’s 39 operas. There were also opera trips to Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco. By the end of 2023 I will have seen 1,153 different staged operas and 1,730 different plays/ musicals/operettas.”

“Art Formanek and his wife Jane stopped by St. Louis, Mo. for lunch. They looked well. Their children have graduated from college.”

Robin Bartlett comments, “In case you were wondering, John’s preferred airline was TWA, now American. Since retiring, his status is Platinum Pro that offers many perquisites for senior travelers. Earlier this year John reached two million miles with AA which gives him lifetime Platinum status.” He comments that he needs to start using more of his 500,000 accumulated miles on AA. John travels with only a carryon bag and recalls the change from the 1970s when he once carried two bags around the Middle East for three months.

Bob Novell P’94 offers the following philosophizing, “When I was growing up, I thought 40 was really old. You tend to think that

way when you’re young, starting a family, and working your tail off. Now I’m 77 and, like most of you, have finally decided to retire…this year. I may have waited too long. Sharon has done a wonderful job at helping me with the transition. Both Sharon and I remain quite active. She is involved in a variety of local programs and clubs. I am slowing down a bit, but still involved with several organizations, playing bridge, and watching UCLA basketball. I still put on my sweats and exercise almost every day but have given up skiing. The joints just don’t work the same way they used to. For Sharon and I, our focus has turned to evenings with local friends and spending time as often as possible visiting and enjoying our family and grandchildren. My New Year’s resolution is to lighten the number of books on my bookshelf, and I have already disposed of more than 80 volumes.

“When I think back over my life, I recognize how fortunate I have been. Life in America and especially in California is changing so rapidly it’s sometimes hard to understand where our country is heading, but I remain positive and thankful for each new day and wish the same for all of you.”

John “Bunjar” Pettit P’91 called me to provide an update on Ronald Doutt P’94’s status. “Many know that Ron has suffered from Parkinson’s for the past 10 years, but amazingly maintains a wonderfully positive attitude despite many discouraging pitfalls (literally) and setbacks.” Bunjar reports, ‘Hej, Hej, Hej.’ Ron told him he gets to see three different types of therapists each week: speech, balance, and occupational. Ron is presently living in an assisted living facility, the Atria in Newport Beach.

Photos by Bauman Photographers

Ron is visited frequently by his daughters, Kirsten Batley ’94 and Amy. They have been instrumental in taking care of Pop for the past couple of years as well as during the devastating loss of Barbara, his wife in 2022.

Ron spent the start of his freshman year as an inmate in Stoughton Court, the rehab motel used for the overflow students of the entering ’67 class. Bunjar was Ron’s roommate in Berger sophomore year and Les “Puma” Waite was his roommate for junior year. The three have remained fast friends ever since. Bunjar and I exchanged a number of stories, some of which I can’t repeat here, but the one that stood out was about Ron’s employment with the Wrigley family (yep, the chewing gum people). Ron was the first non-Wrigley family member to be the President/CEO of the Santa Catalina Island Co., the overarching company that was in charge of 12 different entities including a hotel, boat tour, bus line, amusements and more. (Sort of a mini Disneyland on Catalina Island.) Ron worked there for most of his career. He was so well liked by the Wrigley family and they thought so much of him they threw him a retirement party and invited 500 guests! John attended as Ron’s oldest friend and college roommate. He regaled the throng, including Ron’s wife and daughters, with several modest stories from CMC days — delivered only as Bunjar can do. Later in the evening while Bunjar basked in the limelight of his humorous speech, he was approached by the Wrigley CFO who told him that one of the most remarkable things Ron did every year during his 25-year tenure was to visit with every employee on holidays when other people have days off. He visited each of the 12 business units and thanked each employee personally for working during the holidays. This dedication capsulizes the type of man Ron Doutt was and still is to this day.

John, Les “Puma” Waite, and Steve Frates ’69 have all kept in close

touch with Ron and are planning a celebratory lunch with their hero in the very near future. The Berger Hall Gang and all Ron’s classmates congratulate and wish Ron good health and the very best of times to come.

And finally, Robin Bartlett sums up the success of his book, Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History “My thanks to so many of you who have purchased copies of my book. It has sold very well, and I am pleased with the results. Vietnam Combat just won the 2023 NYC Big Book and Best Book Awards for nonfiction – military and the PenCraft Award for nonfiction – war. It received a wonderful review in On Point: The Journal of Army History. I am keeping my fingers crossed for additional accolades in 2024 when additional awards are announced. Please visit my website for an autographed copy, discount, and free shipping: www. RobinBartlettAuthor.com plus much more information, reviews, videos, blogs, photos, and podcast links.”

Robin Bartlett ’67 Rbbartlett01@gmail.com 201-856-7530

’73

This is our first Notes since our 50th class reunion – and it was a superb reunion. The largest turnout ever for our class and a great time in our all being together. The events and the time for us just to sit and talk made for a great weekend. A number of classmates came for their first reunion, or their first one in a long time, which was terrific. Our class scholarship, the first by a 50th reunion class, was a major gift to the College, and, hopefully, something other classes will copy in the future. Not to mention that at the 50-year reunion mark, we got to eat in the main dining room at the Athenaeum! As a couple of classmates say below, we look forward to our 55th!

Keith Stump has some great observations about the reunion and the campus. “I’m sure I didn’t

Rose Institute 50th Anniversary

More than 100 alumni returned to campus in the fall to celebrate the Rose Institute of State and Local Government’s golden anniversary, enjoying a packed day of panel discussions, student presentations, and a forum where dozens shared fond memories of their Rose experiences. Rose Director Ken Miller, a Government professor, thanked alumni for “a celebration worthy of this landmark anniversary.” Additionally, Abhi Nemani ’10 shared how special his Rose experience was, citing the lasting friendships he made. “What I remember is walking into the Rose office every Friday afternoon and seeing 10 to 15 people whom I loved, and who were amazing people—and getting to work with them and spend time with them. That’s family, right? That’s the best kind of family. I just want to say thank you for that.”

fly the farthest to attend our 50th Reunion, but regardless, I doubt anyone received more enjoyment per mile for their travels. The reunion provided great opportunities to both relive old memories and create new ones. Catching up with old friends and gaining new ones provided wonderful opportunities to hear about and learn from their experiences. The campus has become a dream come true – more than I could imagine. The planned expansion just boggles my mind. It was nothing short of humbling to be included in the remarkable group of achievers who have done so much in and for our world. The breadth of experiences and accomplishments of my classmates were stunning and wonderfully appreciated. There is such power in our group. I’ve never been prouder of my alma mater and cannot wait until our 55th Reunion!

“The remainder of my 2023 summer was, unfortunately, downhill from there. My efforts to take an extended cruise on my sailboat through Southeast Alaska were met with obstacle after obstacle of boat and other problems, including the death of my good friend in an auto accident, an awful experience made all the more traumatic by my coming upon the crash scene when I went to see about him.

“As the litany of obituaries of friends and relatives increases at a distressing rate, I am increasingly appreciative of my own health and for the blessings I’ve received throughout my life. More than anything, the friends with whom I’ve made so many memories are the capstone of my blessings. Our reunion put an exclamation point on those blessings. No, make that at least two exclamation points!!”

Lowell Sears adds his two cents (his words) about the reunion, “The 50th was a great blast from the past and a chance to renew and strengthen friendships. An amazing collection of life paths shared among us geezers. Impressed as well with the transformation of the College. See you all at the 55th!”

In a subsequent, late-November 2023 update, Lowell reports that he fell off his bike and broke his hip. “No more competing for a while.” (Get better!)

Peter Nicholson writes in with his observations as well. “2023 was most notable for two wonderful gatherings. First, our son Jackson was married at long last in March. Second, the 50th Reunion was an outstanding trip down memory lane. Even the commute from coastal Georgia to Claremont was a

Photos by Sidney Smith IV '25

blast. How rewarding to be able to recognize a record setting cohort of old friends from ’73 while joining up for meals, drinks and activities. Plus, an opportunity to meet some new Development and Alumni Association folks. Two Friday golf groups at Glendora country club, mixing golf team members and other accomplished players, was a home run. Attending Mike Sutton ’76’s retirement gathering at Roberts Pavilion was the perfect reminder of the fabulous integration of an A+ education and collegiate athletic career offered then at CMC. And today the bar is set even higher thanks to the dedication of leading alums like Mike. I enjoyed my time at the 40th Reunion, but the big 5-0 was tremendous. With all this as backdrop, and subsequently seeing plans for the Roberts Campus, I was more proud than ever of how CMC has prospered and enhanced its leadership among private colleges. Way to go Stags and Athenas! Looking forward to many happy returns.”

Ben Fawkes ’09, son of Lee Fawkes P’09 and wife Ellen Stavitsky, married Rachel Marcus on June 25, 2023, in Beacon, New York. Lee and Ellen look forward to seeing more of the happy couple when they move back East after several years in Las Vegas, where Ben works in sports gambling and Rachel works for Amagi. (Congrats all around!)

Great to hear from David Casnocha P’11 who notes, “I am writing from our apartment in Vienna, Austria where we are enjoying an extended visit with one of our sons who is posted here by the State Department. He previously served in Cyprus and Turkey. His twin brother is a partner at Goodwin Procter in San Francisco. Our younger son, Ben Casnocha ’11, is the founding partner of Village Global, a venture fund which recently announced the launch of their third fund and the naming of Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn) as their chairman. Ben’s book, Start-Up of You, is now in its second edition. I remain active as a practicing attorney, but am spending increasing amounts of time traveling. Sorry to have missed the reunion. Glad it was successful.”

Paul Beninger P’09 made remembrance remarks at the memorial service for Ambassador Steven McGann held in Washington, D.C., last summer. Paul summarized things well by his last sentence, “We are all the richer for having had Steve in our lives, and we are all the poorer for his passing.”

Paul also notes that he was promoted to Professor, Public Health & Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine on

September 1. (He said he’s a late bloomer. Congrats regardless.)

He also manages to visit and catch up with Roger Winsby occasionally at local coffee shops. And Paul says their daughter Anna Beninger ’09 moved from New York City to Boston in Spring 2023 for her job as a senior executive of DEI at Liberty Mutual. “It’s great to have her as a regular stay-over for frequent weekends. And it’s great to continue to watch her mature.”

Bruce Peterson and Ken Gilbert represented our class at Steve’s memorial service on campus in September 2023. The College did a nice job.

Bruce Peterson ’73 blpfunk@gmail.com

Mark Rosenthal updates us on his doings, “Amazing how well CMC is doing. Someone told me CMC is ranked even higher than when we were all there as students. I’m back to focusing on developing breakthrough pain treatments since chronic pain may be the biggest health problem in the world. All the current treatments have major shortcomings, which are addressed in the device I’ve developed. The device is atomically diagnostic, and then it directly repairs the deficits which are the primary causes of pain. Since chronic pain affects 100 million Americans, this should be a huge advance. This has taken me years to develop, and I am getting closer to being able to publish my results.”

Always good to hear from Richard Esterkin, “Not much to say about the reunion, other than the usual platitudes about how great it was re-connecting with everyone. Main reaction was to all of the changes to the campus – Kravis Center, the Cube, and Roberts Pavilion are amazing additions. Looking forward to additional changes with the proceeds of the recent capital campaign.

“As for me, I fully retired from Morgan Lewis and the practice of law as of October 1, 2023. With my resignation as counsel to USA Water Polo, I was appointed to the Board of Directors. Our 70+ team (I can’t believe that I am writing those words) went to Kumamoto, Japan in August 2023 to compete in the World Aquatics World Masters Championships. We went 5-0 and brought home the gold, beating a team from Perth, Australia in the finals!” (Congratulations big time!)

Closing on a personal note, Peggy and I joined many of you in the Grandparents Club as of September 2023 with the birth of granddaughter Anna to our daughter and son-in-law. How can a

small, sleeping thing that doesn’t do anything except lie there be so fascinating?

Ken Gilbert ’73 kpgilbert@sbcglobal.net

’74 ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

A note from Dick ArchibaldWoodward, “Harriet and I were in Southeast Asia with my brother Bob Archibald ’72 and his wife, Wendy, for a month of travel and exploration. While we were in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, we met up with Ray Leos ’78 who was a close friend of our brother Dave Archibald ’78 when they both were at CMC. Ray has lived in Cambodia for the past 21 years and was full of insights and information. After many years as a professor, dean, and government advisor, Ray now is the Associate Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at the American University of Phnom Penh. It was another example of how CMC has impacted the world. It was fun to catch up with him after not seeing him for 45 years. Now I’m looking forward to doing the same with a bunch of our classmates.”

By the time you read these class notes, we will be less than two months away from our 50th reunion weekend which will be held from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 2. Your reunion committee has been working with CMC staff to provide a memorable and meaningful weekend for all who attend. Please sign up if you haven’t done so already. My thanks to our incredible committee members: Riley Atkins, Brent Bailey, Greg Breen, Brian Buchanan, Tim Donahoe, Bob Ernst P’05 P’10, Phil Friedman P’14, Frank Hobbs, Kim Ledbetter, Jim McElwee P’12, Darrell Smith P’00 and Skip Weiss P’15

Skip Weiss ’74 P’15 publisher@chicagohealthonline.com

’75

Kent Scroggs wrote, “I saw the note from a ’75 classmate mentioning the 4-college choir and me. So I thought I would respond (perhaps for the first time in 48 years). Mario Mainero P’10 (mentioned in the update) was my one and only roommate at CMC. After enduring my rather eccentric roommate (and now, life-long friend) for that first freshman semester, I was rewarded with a single room for the remainder of my four years at CMC. Mario is the one who badgered me into auditioning for the choir, for which I am very grateful. That was my first experience in a choir and I enjoyed it tremendously in terms of

the music and the fact that it was co-ed. I have been singing in choirs almost nonstop ever since and am currently singing with Canto Deo (cantodeo.org), singing exclusively sacred but very challenging pieces from Palestrina to the present. I retired upon reaching the young age of 70 last April after using my UCLA MBA in the oil & gas and mining industries for almost 20 years and then spending the rest of my career in the faith-based non-profit world, including 15 years as the Executive Director of Restoration Outreach Programs, ministering to the underprivileged in metro Denver. My wife, Lisa, and I have three adult children and three granddaughters, with number four granddaughter due in late May. In retirement, I am not only enjoying being a grandfather, but I also serve on the Board of Directors of several nonprofits and ride my bicycle a lot.” Vik Bath writes, “1971, I was in Green Hall. I was in one of the infamous phone rooms. I did get to meet all of the tenants on my side of the dorm. If you remember, the North Quad was, to a large degree, the default location for incoming freshmen. Not sure the actual breakdown for the whole Quad, but it was close to 50% of the freshman class. Maybe they figured we could all learn together at the same time about college life. Music was always a big part of the North Quad. I doubt the poor guys in the towers could claim the level of decibels we had up North. From ‘Maggie Mae’ in ’71, to ‘Benny and the Jets’ in ’74, to the Grateful Dead and ‘Truckin’, you could dance and sing all the way from Lit class down to Econ and Poli Sci. Some of my classmates that first year from Green Hall were: C. Alvarez, Bill Andrews, J. Barab, J. Beyers, Dan Burg, Jack Lucas, J. Cooney, Richard Garcia, David Graham, J. Griffith, Abel Hernandez, Frank Higgins, Scott Hougland, Chris Kempster, Jeff Klein, Mike Moretti, Ed Murphy, Jim Rothman, and Mark Ruble.

“On a more recent, personal note, my wife Belinda and I were in L.A. as volunteers for the U.S. Open, and were able to have dinner with Dan Burg. Rehashing old times and trying to reconnect was enjoyable, sharing stories of grandkids and telling of plans for future travels that have filled our buckets, made for a fine evening together.

Drop a line, give me a call, stay in touch.”

Regards, Vik

Save the date for our 50th reunion –June 5-8, 2025

Vikram “Vik” Bath ’75

832-493-2386

vikbath@yahoo.com

Alumni in Action

Mike Sutton ’76

Mike Sutton ’76, who coached the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men’s swimming and diving program for 22 years from 1979-2000, was one of 38 coaches and athletes selected for the inaugural class of the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Division III Hall of Fame.

Sutton led the CMS men’s swimming and diving team through a dominant run in the 1980s and 1990s, which saw the Stags win 18 SCIAC titles in a 19-year span. CMS won 12 in a row from 1982-1993, and after finishing second in 1994, the Stags won the last six in Sutton’s tenure from 1995-2000. In addition, CMS finished as the runner-up in the NCAA Division III Championship six times in nine years.

Sutton was also an accomplished water polo coach for nearly two decades, winning 15 SCIAC titles and three Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) titles. He retired from his position as CMC’s Director of Advancement for Athletics last year.

Washington, D.C. Her very first trials involved the successful prosecutions of two fairly infamous January 6 insurrectionists – Thomas Webster and Douglas Jensen. Our youngest daughter Daniela is a solutions specialist coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers NFL football team where she works on sponsorships, partnerships, and other marketing efforts. Meanwhile, among other matters in my active litigation practice, I continue to consult with my client SAG-AFTRA on legislation and related post-strike matters involving ‘deepfakes’ and other artificial intelligence issues affecting the entertainment community.”

Al Harutunian reports, “I completed a 14-month assignment as a Pro Tem Justice on the California Court of Appeal. I’m now back at the San Diego Superior Court, handling criminal cases and serving as the Presiding Judge on our Appellate Division. I am also currently the Chair of the California Judges Association Ethics Committee. We field ethics questions from judges around the State.”

Al Harutunian ’77 albert3sd@yahoo.com

’80Stuart Morris remembers Derek Werner (aka ‘Riko’).

“My best friend passed away this past June. We met on September 18, 1976 just outside our Green Hall dorm rooms on the first day of Freshman Orientation. Looking back, I can only wonder how hugely different my life would have been had I been assigned to Appleby, Marks, Benson, or any other dorm. As luck would have it, the friendship I established that first day at CMC lasted a lifetime and strengthened each year as we prioritized sharing our lives through travel, adventure, and laughter. Derek was Best Man at my wedding and my son, Jay Derek Morris ’23, possesses his name and now his memory.

“For exactly 44 months (until graduation day May 18, 1980), Derek left his fingerprints (literally and figuratively) on the CMC community.

’77John Weed writes, “I completed my PhD in International Relations last May. My dissertation was entitled, ‘The Evolving Relationship between Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China.’ In 2024, I will be the Potentate for Al Kaly Shriners for Southern Colorado.”

Dr. Robert Kiskaddon scribbled this note, “Living in North Carolina; still seeing patients and working in physician healthcare leadership. I’m staying on top of

changes in healthcare as the Chief Medical Officer for an AI company specializing in improving medical documentation. Just finished doing a podcast on the future of AI in medicine (NerdMDs: Efficiency Unlocked). Hello to all the buds at CMC.”

Doug Mirrell sent this update, “Havi (the older daughter of me and my wife, Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levenson), is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles who volunteered to be detailed to

SCR ’81 his senior year. For the next 43 years they would be inseparable.

“Derek lived in faith, not fear. He was known as ‘Generic Derek’ because he gave pause to every expenditure. Derek hoarded his money so that he could allocate those funds pursuing travel and adventure. Fortunately, he found a partner in Jennie J who shared these same passions. Derek pursued life on a road less traveled.

“Derek’s accumulation of wealth was less about the size of his bank account, but more about the breadth of he and Jennie’s life experiences. He lived a wealthy life.

“Derek’s Celebration of Life was held in December just two days after what would have been his 65th birthday. It was an amazing collection of people who all loved Derek. CMC attendees included Scott Whipp, John Spinosa, Dale Yahnke ’79, Louis Caron, Steve Schiro, Brian Bullock ’81, Bob Farra, Eric Jenican, Dave Flatten, Scott Tate, Ethan Bindtglass ’82, Dave Yasukochi ’81, Dave Mgrublian ’82, Jack ’57 and Jill Stark ’58, Rita Krieger, AJ Shaka HMC ’80, and Cheryl Benson Hoban SCR ’81. Derek’s parents, Raymond and Carol, along with his sister Kari and her husband Gary, and, of course, Jennie J. were appreciative of all your support. We miss you, Riko!” William Anderson writes, “I was surprised and saddened to hear about Derek. I didn’t know him as well as many of you, but I do recall that he kept us grounded in making sure we remembered to have fun! It sounds like he carried that spirit and sought out adventure throughout his life.

“Derek, Javier R. “JR” Wetzel (his roommate all four years), and I spent our first semester junior year studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. I know we attended classes and even spent two weekends for our Sociology class living like Vikings in the middle of nowhere, but as memories of those events fade, the lasting impression was that the four months in Denmark was a non-stop party.

“Thankfully, Derek met the love of his life Jennifer ‘Jennie J’ Jackson Werner

“I’m straddling between phases these days here in San Diego. I’m generally trying to keep a portion of my time teaching at UCSD’s Urban Studies & Planning program and consulting around the state and elsewhere. I’m a volunteer board member of the San Diego Parks Foundation and work on some initiatives with a couple of professional organizations, ULI and APA. I’m trying to keep a growing share of my time for family, friends, and myself. I have two young adult children, Ryan and Mila, making their own transitions. My wife, Shawna, heads up the San Dieguito River Park JPA – a 55-mile greenbelt agency in the region from Del Mar to Vulcan Mountain – so I’m spending more time exploring San Diego County’s open space with her.

“I do stay in touch with some classmates – Jeff Arce P’22, Lee Rodgers, Dave Schneider, Linda (Page) Schneider ’81, Bev (Hom) Chong, Perry Tribolet ’81 (we had lunch last week), and Jan Buddingh I’ve known Bev and Perry since junior high school, and Jan and I were best

Photo by Bauman Photographers

2024 CMS Hall of Fame Inductees

Nine Athenas and Stags joined the illustrious ranks of the Ted Ducey CMS Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Roberts Pavilion. In attendance for the celebration (left to right): Harmony Palmer (CMC ’13 – softball),  David Juiliano (CMC ’02 – cross country and track & field), Lauren Williams (CMC ’02 – swimming and water polo), Henry Albrecht (CMC ’91 P’23 P’26 – basketball), Patrick Gorgue (CMC ’95 – soccer), Chris Powell (CMC ’93 – water polo and swimming), Stephen Poorman (CMC ’84 – tennis), Emily Bennett Taylor (Scripps ’06 – volleyball). Not pictured: Michael Starr (HMC ’10 – tennis). Congratulations to this accomplished class of stellar athletes!

gave a run-down of Derek and ‘Generic’ Derek Werner’s life, a very full life. Classmates Steve Schiro, Scott Whipp, Louis Caron, Dave Flatten attended. (Dave Yasukochi ’81 and Dave Mgrublian ’82 P’11 also joined.) A life well lived and well loved. (And... there up front sat Jack Stark ’57 GP’11 and Jil Stark ’58 GP’11! I figured they were there to enforce a decades old restraining order but no! They were there to celebrate Riko with all of us.

friends in elementary school. Sadly, our classmate from the class of ’79 and a friend - Brian Ames ’79passed a few years ago.

“I believe there are several from our class in the San Diego region. It would be great to get together sometime to catch up. Please look me up if you’re in the area or if someone wants to collaborate and organize an informal mini regional reunion later in 2024.”

Wayne Slavitt writes, “As we enter 2024, I have realized that our 45th Reunion is fast approaching to be held June 5-8, 2025. If you would like to be on the Class of 1980 Reunion Committee, please email me at wayneslavitt@gmail.com.

Some of our classmates’ recent passings remind us how fragile life is, especially with a Medicare card!”

Paul Nathan writes, “I got to know Derek a lot better after graduation as we both shared the passion for discovering the world. However, he was a lot more adventurous than I have ever been. The pictures taken just immersed all of us in so many different cultures. Amazing pictures of individuals and landscapes! However, the ability to eat whatever the ‘local’ ate showed Jennie and Derek’s ‘courage’ and adventure. And yes, there was always a beautiful sunset with a good glass of wine. I always shared them with my mother who also had traveled the world

and who found them extremely interesting as well. Unfortunately, we never crossed paths even though we tried.”

Scott Tate writes, “It was a weird year for me transitioning (maybe?) to a new house in Old Historic Boise while still keeping a house in the Bay Area, but enjoying it here. I attended five weddings and a funeral this year; of note classmate Jay Rosenlieb found and married his best friend Melanie in Bakersfield.

“After a Friday wedding in Charleston, S.C., I flew back to Newport Beach, Calif. to attend a celebration of the life of our friend Derek ’Riko’ Werner Stu Bod Morris emceed with Jennie J. and

“As for me, I remember having to explain to my girlfriend that despite Riko and JR cranking up the Stones ‘Paint it Black’ at 3:00 a.m., repeatedly, week after week, they were actually okay guys. And as one who probably worked too hard and failed to enjoy seeing the world when I was younger, I was given the gift of Riko and Jennie J’s wonderful travelogs – at least a hundred countries! My two most important takes from these little educational journeys: in every outing there were photos of a smiling Derek surrounded by children – for a guy with no kids he was a pied piper. And second, a photo on a Ugandan hillside populated by Highland guerillas. In the middle of lush bushes sat a calm blond Riko still as tap water with an 850-pound male Silverback munching away just 10 feet away. A priceless, classic Riko shot.”

Photo by Tom Zasadzinski

Sean Collins, writes, “Although I’ve kept up with very few CMC contacts over the years, I do have fond memories of Riko and JR recounting stories to us in Green. The most vivid one is Riko telling stories about having traveled to Morocco (not sure if that was with JR or not). (Think Dave Schneider ’81, Carl Kowalski ’81 and probably Tmore, maybe Scott Whipp was there). Having little money and nowhere to sleep, he slept on …a park bench. I remember thinking, Riko, what sane person would do that in Morocco?

“Then, he goes on and tells us he wakes up in the morning and the wallet he had in his front pocket has been cut out in the middle of the night by somebody with a knife. All the money’s gone. I have no memory of what happened after that, all these years when I think about that story I think, ‘what a character.’

Steve Algermissen reflects, “I am still in shock about Riko...Very sad…”

Jonathan Grinder notes, “I did not know Riko well, maybe enough to say hello. But I always looked up to him. He epitomized what it meant to be a student at CMC in the late ’70s. Nobody did it better. I am sure he continued that spirit into his life after college and that his friends and family must miss him.

“After decades of lawyering and running a company producing events, I mercifully retired and am living in Tucson, Ariz. I still keep busy coaching the University of Arizona TriCats Triathlon Team and doing all the usual exercise things to stave off old age.”

Art Dodd writes, “My travels started as I celebrated birthday #65 in Denali National Park and Preserve. Check that off the bucket list. Arrived into Fairbanks, as far North as I have been on planet Earth.

“Over the years since graduating, I’ve stayed close with Susan Bjork and Professor Gordon Bjork, who was my thesis advisor. That simply doesn’t happen at other schools.”

—ED EGER ’83 P’16

“A driving trip into Southwest Colorado over Labor Day. I joined my siblings in order to spread half of my dad’s ashes at the base of his grandchildren’s blue spruce on our property in Ridgway, Colorado.

“Thanksgiving found me in Australia and New Zealand. My first time South of the equator. My time in Fiordland National Park is as far South as I have been on planet Earth. Stops included Sydney, Melbourne, and Burnie in Australia. New Zealand stops: Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, and Auckland. Fabulous scenery, and all terrific places to have visited.

“I’ll just mention my Christmas Day 2022. A heart attack and spent Christmas night in an ICU room at UCLA Medical Center. I have made a complete recovery; bike riding is my choice of exercise, which has paid dividends. I rode before the heart attack and was able to ride to my second cardiologist appointment at UCLA. I biked to it.

“A huge contributing factor to the heart attack was the stress from being a caretaker for my parents. My dad passed October 2022. My mom also transitioned into a senior facility with memory care here in Santa Monica. That was quite a 90day period.

“My advice: take care of yourself so you are able to take care of others.”

Scott Tate ’80 tstate22@gmail.com

’81

David Beaver writes, “Hi to everyone! How to compress 42 years into a paragraph? I retired a few years ago, after a good run in the computer industry, first doing custom programming for business applications, then turned that into a computer support company for businesses that grew nationwide. Renee and I had kids a

lot later than some of you; they’re in college now so we’ve only been an empty nest for two years. We moved to my home town Santa Barbara, Calif. where I’ve dived into a second career managing commercial real estate. We have lots of guest rooms, visitors are welcome!”

Lewis “Skip” Rutledge reports, “I finally got married. I wed my beloved bride Toni Rutledge on November 14, 2020. Our rehearsal was Friday the 13th, 2020. What could possibly go wrong? Just celebrated our third anniversary last week. We reconnected after 25 years and have much lost time to make up for. So I am now a husband, father to three, and two kids-in-law, plus grandpa to the four cutest kids in creation. I have been teaching and coaching a speech and debate team at Point Loma Nazarene University for over 35 years now, trying to figure out if I like it. And I love it. I hope you will look me up if you are in San Diego, America’s Finest City. Somewhere along the way I earned a Masters at San Diego State University, and a doctorate at Regent University, both in Rhetoric.

“Our debate teams have somehow managed to win a dozen or so National Championships in debate through my tenure here, and yearlong sweepstakes championships, including our latest last year for the National Parliamentary Debate Association. Cumulatively we are the top team in NPDA debate nationwide over the past 25 plus years. And finally we have been blessed to travel, teach, and debate in some pretty exciting places including China (three times), London, Italy and most recently Tokyo last Spring (and maybe Dublin this year). I look forward to catching up with you all. I have enjoyed Zooming with Jeff Caplan, Shaw Wagener, Robert Ho, Bruce Haas and Richard Albrecht

Timothy Safford writes, “I recently returned to the U.S. after serving as the Interim Dean of the American Cathedral in Paris. In March of 2022, I retired as Rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia where I had served as Rector for 23 years. Lynn Karoly ’83

and I now live in Padanaram Village outside of New Bedford, Mass., where she continues her work as Senior Economist for RAND, and I am writing about the Episcopal Church and the Civil Rights movement as well as supporting local churches in New England and the mid-Atlantic.

“Our fellow classmate and my roommate for two years at CMC, Steven Wright, died this past Christmas. He visited us in Paris six months before his unexpected passing—a tender mercy for us now.”

Kathleen Dennison writes, “I recently retired from my position as Budget Director of Chautauqua County (in western New York, south of Buffalo). For me, retirement means going from three jobs to two. My husband, Robert Contiguglia, and I have owned and operated Central Station Restaurant for nearly eight years, and I am an adjunct professor of accounting at our local community college. I was an independent hotelier/restaurateur for many years before I became the budget director; it’s nice to be back to being my own boss! Robert and I have been married 32 years and we have two great kids.”

Heather (Hand) Rider reports, “Retirement has been a blessing! I retired ten years ago from a 30+ year career in global human resources. I have been living in San Diego for the past 20+ years.

“I enjoy traveling extensively and often combine my love for hiking, walking, and biking when I travel. As an example of my love for travel, this past summer I visited Japan, Armenia, Lebanon, Jordan, Greece, Sedona, and Mexico.

“My stepdaughter and her family live four miles away which allows for plenty of ‘Nana time.’

“Another passion of mine is MakeA-Wish. I am a Wish Granter in San Diego for this organization. It is so gratifying to bring to life the dreams for these children…it helps me keep my perspective in line.

“Lastly, since I retired, I have served on a few public boards. Currently, I serve on Inogen and ProSomnus

boards. I would love to connect with other alumni in San Diego…I can be reached at hrider704@gmail.com.”

Ken Wechsler reports, “Given it’s been awhile since my last update I’ll summarize the past few years. Back in 2016 I remarried to Olivia Wakefield and we live in Sudbury, Mass. (Boston suburb). We still have a house in Encinitas, Calif. and plan to return in a few years. All’s great, except we both work too much and I envy my retired classmates! Yet, we both love our work and with four kids now in college and beyond, we’re planning ahead to reduce/ eliminate work and travel more. Currently I’m the vice president, Global Total Rewards for Akamai Technologies (you probably use us daily and have never heard of us!), managing all our compensation and benefit programs globally for 10K employees. It’s a demanding, yet rewarding role.

“My two girls (Kyla and Kendra) are 27 and 24, the older one’s living in Denver (working for Red Bull) and the other is hoping to return to Tel Aviv (after the new year); she was part of a team that helped open their first subway. We got her out quickly after the unfortunate situation that’s evolved. My stepsons (Aidan and Connor) are in college – one’s a senior in Political Science and the other’s a freshman focusing on Neuroscience.

“I’ve had a particularly interesting year of travel, including Tel Aviv in May (seeing Kendra and our Akamai offices), Bangalore, India in November (and have reconnected with Soccer teammate Prabhu

Chulani) and have a Botswana safari with my girls on the calendar from Dec. 26th through Jan 6th. I’ve enjoyed seeing these cities and experiencing their different cultures!

“For fun, since the summer of 2021 I’ve picked up playing (older) Men’s Baseball (yes, full hardball). It’s been a lot of fun, great to have teammates again, and keeps me feeling young (cause in baseball you’re always a ‘kid’).

“Finally, one of my longest buddies is Jeff Pollack ’82! We’ve been talking constantly over 40+ years, sharing the joys of life, helping each other when needed and keeping each other grounded as well. I’d love to hear from others as well at kenwechsler@gmail.com.

Ken Wechsler ’81 kenwechsler@gmail.com

’82

Stuart Williams and Doug Beighle share, “We’ve been watching the Seahawks play the Cowboys in Dallas. Great buddies for 45 years. Go Seahawks! All the best to the class of ’82.”

Nohemi (Gutierrez) Ferguson P’16 reports, “Frank Ferguson P’16 and I are tickled pink to share the wonderful news that, this year, we became grandparents! In April, our son Jacob and his wife Caitie welcomed their adorable daughter, Ripley Dolores. She has brought so much joy to our entire family. In November, we reunited with fellow classmates in Las Vegas thanks to the generosity of Chris Townsend, Ken Valach, and Janie Valach, and the

MAY 30 . .

JUNE 2, 2024

meticulous organization of Meggan Knott. These awesome Stags treated two dozen of our classmates to a delicious dinner, a Donny Osmond concert, and a Raiders game. In addition to Ken, Chris, Meggan, Frank and I, the other classmates who shared in the fun were Chris’ wife, Michele, Jim Gervang, Carl Howell, Dave Mgrublian P’11, Joel Jones, Jon Stott, Darren Chaney and his wife, Kim, Charlie Klinge, Cindy Schwartz Goldberg, Michelle Davis Stratton, Amie Friedlander Yehros, Gigi Birchfield P’12, Lee Geiger, Dennis D.J. Janssen, and Steve Eggert P’15. Proving our class is not exclusive, Blake Isaacson ’81, Kyle Richards ’81, and his wife Cindy also partook. You can read all about the second annual reunion weekend on Lee Geiger’s blog at https://leegeiger. com/commitment-to-excellence/. Later that weekend, Frank and I also had the pleasure of dining with Hom Cheong Yong, who visited us in Pasadena, Calif. Thanks again to our classmates for a memorable weekend that reminded us of our amazing years at CMC.”

Jeff Pollack writes, “MaryAnne and I finally left our beloved Bay Area after almost 30 years. We are living and playing in Arizona and can now see Ken Wechsler ’81 once a year at spring training. Finally checked off a bucket list item and did the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim: Cold, dark, and epic. For those of you considering visiting Alcatraz, I highly recommend getting a roundtrip ferry ticket. Still working with Marsh & McLennan as the Director of Risk Management and enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to

work with the next generation. Very proud of the continuing national and international recognition that CMC receives.”

Alicia (Hall) Gold reports, “Big news for me is that I have my first grandchild! Leo Adam Gold was born on July 17th and lives in Maryland with my son, Andrew, and his wife, Andie. He’s adorable. A very happy baby. With my three kids spread out in Los Angeles, Denver, and Maryland, I’m racking up some frequent flier miles while still working full-time at Overlake in high school athletics. We’ve sent a number of kids from Overlake to the 5Cs, including Katie Hill ’18. She’s one of our teachers and coaches, as well. Stay safe everyone!”

Nohemi Gutierrez Ferguson ’82 nohemi.ferguson@gphlawyers.com

’83This is the first Class Notes following our 40th reunion in June 2023. We had a great turnout, about 30-40 of us. For fear of forgetting someone, I’m not going to list the attendees. Those of you there saw me taking notes, but I was writing things like “wearing a plaid shirt” so I could remember who was who, not taking notes on your current lives, so I asked you all to do that yourselves. I think I got to talk a bit to everyone, and it was very fun seeing classmates connect with friends they’ve seen recently, but especially with those they hadn’t seen for many years.

Let’s get started: Eric Helm reflects, “Forty years! I’ve spent it all (professionally) at SoCal Edison,

Alumni in Action

Harriet Nembhard ’91

It was a special moment for The Claremont Colleges—and an extra special one for Claremont McKenna—as Harriet Nembhard ’91 was inaugurated as the sixth president of Harvey Mudd College. The two-day celebration in March included a formal investiture ceremony, featuring welcome remarks on behalf of The Claremont Colleges from CMC President Hiram Chodosh, as well as words of encouragement from friend Jil Stark ’58 GP’11 and husband David Nembhard, Director of Applied Science Programs with CMC’s Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences.

Nembhard began her CMC career at the age of 16, where she majored in Management-Engineering. A nationally respected leader in the field of industrial and operations engineering, she has also served as an Alumna Trustee of the College and was a member of CMC’s inaugural Integrated Sciences Advisory Council.

“We are committed to continuously generating and sharing solutions that ignite positive change, drawing inspiration not only from the legacy of our past—but also from the limitless potential of our future endeavors,” Nembhard said in her inaugural address.

which actually serves Claremont. Started less than three months after we graduated and have been there since (did the MBA on weeknights). Have been retirement-curious for awhile now, waiting for a “sign” I suppose, while working mainly from home. Celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary last year in Hawaii with the family, and am planning trips now. Just returned from Japan and looking to Canada next.”

Ed Eger P’16 writes, “I’m sorry I won’t be making the reunion, as I am writing this over the Atlantic Ocean somewhere. Jonathan Rosenberg P’14 and I were hoping to make a quick one-day trip down, but that didn’t end up happening. So, I’ll provide a quick update on the last few years at least instead.

“My wife, Holly, and I are still living in the Bay Area, where we have

been for the last 13 years. Our three children, who have been living all over the country and the world, have all ended up in the San Francisco area, so we have all of them nearby. Our oldest is the CFO of a school district in East Palo Alto and his wife is a fertility doctor on staff at UCSF. He just got his PhD in Education last month from Penn, which he somehow managed to do while working full time. Their two daughters, ages 3 1/2 and eight months, get to spend a fair amount of time with their grandparents, often spending Friday nights with us. Our middle one works as a product manager at Apple, working on Apple TV+, which was her dream after getting her MBA from Kellogg three years ago. Our youngest, Katharine Eger ’16, just finished her first year of grad school in international development at Berkeley’s Goldman

School. Since graduating from CMC, she’s worked and lived in East Africa. Holly and I have been splitting our time between the Bay Area, Massachusetts (where we have a summer home), and Chicago. In Chicago, I’ve been running a Fintech company for the last five years, and really enjoy this fantastic city.

“As I look back on the last 40 years since leaving CMC, I suppose I just feel tremendously lucky to have had the opportunity to live and work all over the world. I think the most important parts of the CMC experience were a combination of friends I made there, as well as the relationships the school provides between students and faculty. Over the years since graduating, I’ve stayed close with Susan Bjork and Professor Gordon Bjork, who was my thesis advisor, for instance. That simply doesn’t happen at other schools. Our youngest ended up taking Introduction to Accounting from Professor Marc Massoud P’89, whom I also had as I struggled through T-accounts. And my study abroad experience is now coming full circle as I just joined the board of IES Abroad, the organization that runs CMC’s and many other colleges’ study abroad programs. In the category of small world, IES is run by Greg Hess (former Dean of Faculty at CMC), and the chair of the board is President Pamela Gann, so again some CMC connections. CMC is masterful in making these connections and supporting its students in ways that other colleges don’t.”

Brent “Winky” Lower’s 40year update! “Hello fellow Stags (and Athenas, Sagehens)! After graduation, I returned to the great PNW, starting in Portland then Seattle, where I began my career in real estate investment/finance/ development. Spent several years living with Doug Beighle ’82, Stuart Williams ’82, and several other characters in the notorious ‘House of Fun.’ Eventually matured enough to settle down, buy a house, get married (in my early 30’s).

Harriet Nembhard ’91 celebrates with CMC guests David Mgrublian ’82 P’11, Chair of the Claremont McKenna College Board of Trustees; Laura Grisolano ’86, Trustee; and President Hiram Chodosh.

After a couple more years of fun, Kathy and I started our family. Our daughter Emma, now 26, is loving life in San Francisco working as a legal investigator at RBGG (great litigation firm working for social justice causes) after graduating from Yale and Cal (Masters) where she ran middle distance on their track teams. Sounds like her next move is law school. Our son Reed, now 23, is living in Nashville, where he is working for a very entrepreneurial developer focusing on some really cool affordable housing projects.

“I am a founding partner of Washington Holdings (along with Craig Wrench POM’83 and others). We just celebrated our 20th anniversary, and it has been a fun, rewarding and wild ride. We’re now in my fifth down cycle! If you buy low and sell high, it’s all good! I’m in the Bay Area a fair amount, which combined with Seattle connections, real estate, and the occasional baseball alumni get togethers, have allowed me to connect with Chris Toohey, Skip Sanzeri, Dennis Janssen ’82, Steve Richardson, Jim Richardson ’82, Curt Burkhart, Jon Stott ’82, Tom Van Buskirk ’82, Chris Dobberpuhl ’82, Dean Jensen, Chris Reid ’80, Jim Rock ’82, Tom Owens POM’83, and others.

As a family, we love to ski, bike, hike, boat, travel, and cook. Ping me if you’re in the Seattle area and let’s catch up, IRL. Cheers!

Larry Chip André writes, “Dear Class of ’83: Here is my last 40 years summary: After graduation, I served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. I then worked as Peace Corps staff in Washington, D.C. for a year and a half before getting my International MBA at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Ariz. (subsequently absorbed by Arizona State University). I then got a job in Chad, Central Africa, immediately following their war with Libya. Our task was to assist refugees returning to Chad from camps in northern Cameroon. While at Thunderbird,

Main photo by Jeanine Hill Photography/courtesy of Harvey Mudd College

I had taken the written and oral entry exams for the Foreign Service. I passed and then somehow got through all the background checks. I left Chad to return to D.C. and started my diplomatic career in January 1990. As of today, I am a former diplomat. So, that makes altogether 37 years of USG employment.” (TK must interject - Chip is too modest: Wikipedia reminds me that he was our U.S. ambassador to Mauritania, then Djibouti, then Somalia). “My career was spent almost entirely in Africa. The exceptions are Iraq and Bangladesh. After a short break, I will become a Texas government employee. I will be a professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. I’ll also likely have a couple side gigs, currently under discussion.

“On the personal side, I am married to Ouroukou Younoussi André. We have a three and a half year-old son, Isidore (Izzy). I have a 31-year-old daughter, Ruhiyyih (Ruhi), from my first marriage. My wife, son, and I live in rural Caldwell County (halfway between Austin & San Antonio) on our four and a half acres in a home we built in 2020.”

Tammie (Calef) Krisciunas: “We retired this past July, and love it! The beginning - West Coast kidCalifornia, Oregon - grew up with horses, sunburns at Malibu, girls high school Argyll Academy (by choicegood academics - plaid kilt, bobby socks, saddle shoes). CMC - Studio Art and Literature double, junior year Paris, inseparable from my childhood dog, Toffee, lived in Claremont tower with Mari (Baumgarten) Adam ’80, in Green with Karen Jacobson, Gail Silberman McCarthy, and Elaine Rossi, and Beckett, but mostly off campus – Mt. Baldy cabin and a room at ‘Indian Rick’s’ in the Russian barrio with a real 12-foot alligator in the backyard (his pet store mistake - he fed it roadkill) - spring break jumped freight trains to SCL with Elaine. After CMC - various odd jobs, then decided to live in the smallest state. Built gorgeous custom stairs in Rhode Island - feared finger loss - switched to chef on a 120-foot Italian jet boat for three years - East coast from Maine to the Caribbean, and the Med. Decided to get serious - three top contenders - optometry won over architecture and professor (of anything) - So, back to school - did pre-med list of science prereqs in a year (4.0) then optometry school (graduated top of class) - with a summer as chef on 78 footer in Vancouver Island Inland Passage, found and married my true love, Vic, then had a long and happy career of 24 years as faculty at Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University as associate professor (I trained ophthalmology residents in optics, refraction, and contact lens)

and clinician (contact lens specialist). I fulfilled the architect need when we did the down-to-the-studs house remodel, and the design of our 45 exam-lane clinic building. For fun - tons of hobbies - dinner parties, snow skiing, boating, reading, travel, planning on sewing, playing piano, maybe tending the garden, relearning French, and of course, exercising. Happy life! PS - Spent the month of October in Europe and had two fun dinners with Patrick Brenny ’82 and his lovely wife, Mei Zegers. They live in Amsterdam now, and have had a fascinating life path to get there, living abroad all over the place, doing good.”

Nancy Aronson notes, “I have been practicing criminal law for 35 years. First as a prosecutor then, now as a defense attorney. I primarily do court conflicts in the Ventura County Courthouse. I enjoy it, though some days it feels like babysitting. Scott, my husband, and I have been together over 18 years. And our beautiful daughter has just finished her junior year in high school. I still, occasionally, do local theater and sing with my temple choir. I also serve as the Judge Pro-Tem for Ventura County’s Homeless Court. It’s a great program that allows people to work off fines and fees. This way, they can clean their record and get their license back. For those that remember, we had a house fire in 2021 and spent the next year in a hotel. Considering it was three people and two dogs, we did well. Ok, we survived. We returned home about a year ago and still haven’t unpacked.”

Bill Jones reports, “My post-CMC years are a complex jumble of learning, experience, joy, and some sorrow. I became a real estate appraiser and have been involved in commercial real estate in one way or another since the year after I left CMC. I am now the Chief Appraiser for Manufacturer’s Bank in Los Angeles. It’s a small bank, but our parent company, SMBC, is one of the biggest banking companies in the world. I will be forever thankful to Steve Nesbit for getting me into Van Morrison’s music while I was at CMC. Not long ago I opened my monthly issue of The Spectator World, the U.S. edition of the world’s oldest magazine, and saw an article by Henry Olsen. I enjoyed talking with him at our reunion. After the reunion, I opened another issue and saw his name on another article. He’s a good writer, due in no small measure to his days at CMC.” (TK note: Henry gave the Latin oration at our graduation.)

“I was saddened by the death of Professor Ward Elliott and more recently Professor P. Edward Haley. I had hoped to see at least one of them at the reunion. I live in

Claremont now, about five minutes from the campus. So much more to say but I realize there is not much room for all who want to write. Best wishes to my fellow alums!”

David Deeds: Missed the reunion due to being on sabbatical in Madrid. “It’s a crazy year. Our first grandchild, a sabbatical, and a major house remodel all at the same time. We welcomed Naomi Quinn Deeds into our family three months ago, just prior to leaving for Spain. We are in the middle of six months in Madrid. After nearly 30 years as a professor, I’m finally taking a sabbatical. I’m visiting at IE University in Madrid. While here we are having the kitchen my wife deserves built (check out her books on Amazon - Meredith Deeds) as well as half the house remodeled. We’re just keeping life interesting.”

Peter Hutt and Elizabeth “Libby” Vance Hutt ’85 are “mostly retired

and doing our best to make a success of it. We shifted into travel mode a couple years back when we lost our sweet dog, Maidy. We spend a lot of time in France, plus try to visit a couple new places each year. When I’m back in Seattle, I’m playing pickleball. Our three children are all finding their way in the world and pursuing their passions. For some reason, they are all quite independent. Really enjoyed our recent milestone reunion. It was fun to catch up with old friends and get to know other classmates. Wish I’d done that back in the day. We have an amazingly unique and accomplished class!”

Final tidbits: These classmates missed the reunion, but sent their regrets, with a little info:

Jim Brock: “Missed reunion due to helping out with brand new two week old granddaughter. Otherwise,

Billy Grayson ’00

As Chief Initiatives Officer at the Urban Land Institute, Billy Grayson ’00 oversees the organization’s work on environmental sustainability, housing attainability, infrastructure, real estate economics, and capital markets. Grayson, an Environment, Economics, and Politics (EEP) major at CMC, visited the Athenaeum—along with the Soll Center for Student Opportunity and Roberts Environmental Center—in the fall to extol the virtues of pursuing an interdisciplinary degree. “It’s amazing to me to think about the fact that I’m still using my cross-disciplinary EEP education from CMC,” he said. “And I use it even more now than when I was starting out my career.”

While on campus, Grayson also spoke about climate change, which he related to the future of the built environment—discussing the consequences for the real estate and investment community. His advice was to have an everyday impact: “The best things that you can do are actually the most boring things,” Grayson said, “which are to close the door (to the outside) and shut the lights off when you leave the room. It’s that simple. Those are facility management strategies of energy efficiency and the cost is zero.”

Alumni in Action

Photo by Anibal Ortiz

World meet

Join us in Singapore for CMC’s 3rd Annual Worldmeet

June 12 – 16, 2024

Highlights of this trip include:

• Special tours of our host country

• Discussions on Singapore’s global political and business landscape

• Presentations from our very own Professor Minxin Pei P’12

• Engagement with Ambassadors Tommy Koh and Jonathan Kaplan

MORE INFORMATION HERE: cmc.edu/alumni/events/worldmeet

I would have persuaded Wade Vesey to come.”

Steve Dalzell: “Looking forward to seeing any classmates who make it out to Washington D.C.”

Evelina (Vivy) Guekguezian: Was already committed to the California Library Association’s annual conference in Sacramento.

Jeffrey Weiss & Vona (Strauss) Weiss: It was just an impossible weekend.

Elizabeth (Lyzse) Kieschnick: Niece was graduating.

Peter Gale Nelson: Wrong weekend, but he has such a nice way with words: “I’m very sorry to say that I will not be able to join the class on campus. I regret the years having piled up since last being there (it has been about 30 years - my wife, Lori, and I spent the afternoon chatting with Mr. Fossum from the literature department, someone who had become a friend over the years).”

Tahir Khurshid: “Would love to share with all of these colleagues. Won’t be able to make it as will be in Riyadh for an important work session. I am looking forward to #45.”

Jeffrey P. Thompson: “Alas, we will be in Colorado.”

Jo Butler: “We’ve been attending the NCAA Softball Women’s College World Series for over 20 years, so I hate to miss that.”

Lisa (Shamel) Cundall had a nice visit with Laurie (Crom) Stoffel ’84

Robert Kemp couldn’t come, is taking French, and got reconnected with Tom Stewart (who just retired from teaching, if I remember correctly).

If there is a classmate you’d like to connect with, email me, and if I have their email, I’ll send your request to them.

As always, your devoted class liaison, Tammie Calef Krisciunas ’83 tammiekrisciunas@mindspring.com

’90 From Todd and Robyn (Kawakami) Achilles: Todd

Achilles P’25 and Robyn (Kawakami) Achilles P’25 are enjoying life in Boise, Idaho. Todd is in his sixth year teaching at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. He’s also working with a group of military veterans to pass Idaho’s Open Primaries Initiative and is considering running for public office. Robyn leads Friends of Minidoka, the nonprofit philanthropic partner for Minidoka National Historic Site, where Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated during WWII. “Daphne Achilles ’25, our eldest, is a junior at CMC, and Georgia is a high school sophomore at Miss Porter’s in Connecticut. We hope people will give us a call if they’re in Idaho!”

Andrea (Klein) Sparks, Tracy Sullivan Prock, Teri (Fleckinger) Sprouse, and Faye (Karnavy) Sahai write, “We met in Tahoe, Calif. for the weekend and the bond of our college friendship withstood the test

“We’ve developed quite a nice CMC community here at Apple with over 20 of us in finance and lots of interns each summer. I’ve also gotten to work closely with Melissa (Poole) Schild ’01 and Todd Teresi ’92 on some projects, which is so cool for me to see various generations of CMC working together.”

—TEJAS GALA

’09

of many decades passing. We missed others and thinking of Sharon BethHalachmy and her family in Israel.

Faye (Karnavy) Sahai ’90 fkarnavy@gmail.co

’99

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

Updates from around the splendid Class of ’99! Congrats on all of your accomplishments and news, we’re celebrating with you, but not a bit surprised at your brilliance. We’re also looking forward to seeing all of you this spring for our 25th reunion during Alumni Weekend 2024. Chris and Kerri (Hogue) Skinnell organized a mini-reunion in the Claremont Village concurrent to the Rose Institute reunion. They were joined by Monte Albers de Leon, Ashlee Peters, Kasey (Richer) Erickson, Will McCaa, Zach Courser, Jared Gordon, and honorary ’99 alum Christiana Dominguez ’01. Your scribes were unable to join, but all reports conclude revelry and reminiscing were beyond successful.

– Cami & Lou

Andrew Orr writes, “I published my second book, The Gay Girl in Damascus Hoax: Progressive Orientalism and the Arab Spring. It launches De Gruyter’s Transnational Queer Histories series. I could not have written the book without what I learned about propaganda and influence operations from Bill Rood. I also won the George M. Kren Prize to fund my next book on the 1919 Black Sea Mutiny.”

Monte Albers de Leon writes, “My son JT (who just turned five) gets a new brother (born in Long Beach, Calif.) any day now! We moved to a new place in Manhattan, which has given me the holy grail of a physical, actual, very own home office where I recently finished my very first piece of creative writing - a 131-page screenplay.” (Editor’s note: It sounds amazing. Netflix alum, you’ll want to snap this one up. – CMG)

Jeff Stein writes, “My wife, Maia, and I moved to Ashland, Oreg. this year. We have launched a company, Resonance.us, building the world’s most advanced meditation

technology platform. We’ve been doing a ton of travel all over the world, most recently to Mexico, Ibiza, Portugal, Italy, and Egypt. Life is pretty wonderful. We like to say our life is a work of art, that we are cocreating every day together.”

Lance Lanfear writes, “Best Foot Forward on AppleTV+ has been nominated for lots of awards. I was happy to WIN my first DGA (Directors Guild of America) gold medallion award for my UPM (Unit Production Manager) in Children’s Programs for that project. It was also recently nominated for an Emmy! Fingers crossed.

“Swarm (on Amazon/Prime) Limited Series was getting lots of hype recently when released. It was a pleasure working with Donald Glover on the Los Angeles pilot.

“Due to the writers and actors strikes, this year has been very slow for Hollywood production for me and thousands of others in the industry. But I did complete photography as a producer on The Vince Staples Show (Netflix) before the strikes.

“With all the downtime, I continue to be very passionate about youth sports (mainly baseball), if you haven’t noticed on Facebook. I’m once again the VP of Operations for Toluca Baseball (all volunteer nonprofit), and I coach a variety of teams with my three boys in the Burbank/ Studio City areas.”

Camille Griep ’99 camillegriep@gmail.com

Louis Levine ’99 llevine@ngpvan.com

’04 ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

From your Class Liaison Mike Avent: “For anyone who doesn’t read their emails but does read the Class Notes - our 20 year reunion is happening Alumni Weekend - May 30 to June 2! If you had stayed on top of your CMC emails you probably would have had time to book that botox appointment I reminded everyone about back in December …”

Katy (Trenholme) Lee welcomed kiddo number five on August 1,

2023. Theodore Tullston Lee (aka Teddy).

Ryan Jetton retired from the Annapolis Fire Department in 2020 and is back in grad school at University of Maryland Baltimore, where he is working on becoming a physician assistant. Before school started, Ryan took a trip to the Olympics in Washington with Dustin Beckett, Katya (Gentry) Beckket, Luke Benedum, Cullen Rose, Andy Byrne, and Adam Hoyt and their families (Katya Beckett and Adam Hoyt independently wrote in to report on the Olympic National Park trip). Sounds like it was quite the event. Eleven adults and nine kids aged 2 to 9 years old!

In March, Matthew Goldman left Apto Payments, where he was president following a successful sale of the company. In April, Matthew started a new business, Totavi, LLC, a product and fintech consultancy, finally returning to immediate post-graduate roots as a consultant. Matthew reports business is going well and that he enjoys working with various companies to help them build new products. Peter Ombres also has been helping the business, acting as an executive coach for some of Matthew’s clients. On the volunteer side, Matthew is active in youth soccer with AYSO Region 13, where he serves on the board with fellow CMCers Brandi (Thompson) Lane and Terry Takahashi ’98 Matthew continues to live and work in Pasadena, Calif. with his wife, Jennii Allan Goldman ’03, their two daughters, who are 15 and 12, and their dog.

Mike Avent ’04 mike.avent@gmail.com

’05 Congratulations to Colin Tudor on his election to the presidency of the Claremont Wildlands Conservancy. The Conservancy was created in 2000 to stop development in the Claremont hillsides, including Johnson’s Pasture. More than 2,500 out of 3,100 hillside acres are now part of the city-owned wilderness park, which has become a recreational destination for the entire Inland Valley. The Conservancy’s next step is to help Claremont acquire an additional 400 acres in an area known as “Clara Oaks.” For his day job, Colin is the vice president of administration and secretary to the board of The Claremont Colleges Services, the central coordinating and support organization for The Claremont Colleges.

Mitch Browne ’05 mitchell.browne@gmail.com

Tiffany Williams ’05 tiffany.williams@gmail.com

’06A note from Class Liaison Kevin Blair, “’06ers, it’s that time when a lot of us are turning 40! I celebrated in September by taking my first kid-less trip with my wife to Mexico City. I was also able to celebrate with Austin Kiessig for his 40th in San Francisco, with Westy Rose, Colin Read, Pat Flemming POM ’07, Austin Henkel, Nick Shannahan ’07, and Greg Pelz.”

Joanna (Repsold) Hyatt writes, “After four girls, we welcomed our first little boy (and fifth kid, if you’re doing the math). Enjoying the full, always crazy life of a big family!”

Kyle Ellison and his family were displaced from their home by the Maui, Hawaii wildfires in August (the Kula Fire started at their house), and in the wake of the fire, the outpouring of community support spurred him to found the non-profit organization, Malama Kula, where he now serves as Executive Director. Prior to the fire, he founded Clean Courts Maui (which specializes in tennis and pickleball court cleaning), and he continues to run Wai Mauna SUP Tours and Paddleboard Rentals in Asheville, N.C. and Driggs, Idaho. Maribeth Lehoux was at CMC over the spring to speak at a Rose Institute event on careers in law. Since then, she’s switched her career in law and is general counsel of the Utah State Bar. She adds, “It was great to be back on campus where I had hoped for a fleeting moment I could pass as a student. Alas, no dice.”

Anna Beier-Pedrazzi shares, “I’m still in the Air Force and currently deployed as a legal adviser to the Security Assistance Group for Ukraine. In my home station job at the Pentagon, I advise the Space Force on all their legal and policy issues, after wrapping up an LLM in Air and Space Law from McGill in Canada in June of this year. Before deploying, I had weekly dinners with Dr. Karanda Bowman POM ’05 in Philadelphia, Pa.”

Whitney Richardson ended eight years in state government and started a new job in government affairs for Electrify America in May 2023. She got married to her husband, Travis Lyons, in Oakland, Calif. in September 2023. Tiffany Limtanakool was a bridesmaid, Rev. Jenny Saperstein provided a blessing, and Candace Valenzuela was an esteemed guest.

Kevin Blair ’06 kevinmblair@gmail.com

’09 ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

Class of 2009, we hope you join us for our 15th reunion during Alumni Weekend 2024! We want to see you there and hear about the awesome things you’ve been up to.

Greg Hall is “busy chasing down his two kiddos - Penny (5 years) and Mille (13 months).” He was promoted in October to Manager of People & Culture at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Kyle Ragins writes, “I was excited to see many CMCers at the wedding of Matt Lewis in Portland, Ore. this summer. It was great catching up with Jess Mackay and James LoPrete ’07 (who now have some adorable kids), Samuel Negrao, and Emily Meinhardt ’10, and introducing them to my 2-yearold Gaël! He is going to Mandarin immersion preschool these days and having a blast; they grow up so fast! It was also great to have a chance to party it up in a different city with the LA-based CMCers at the wedding, Jeff Cairney ’07, Brando McCune, Nick Warshaw, and Marco de la Torre. I also got to hang out with our illustrious Class Notes Czar, Camilo Cuellar, and his fiancée Elisa, hosted by Nick Warshaw for a Halloweenthemed dinner party, where Camilo’s dog, Pablo, and Nick’s dog, Jazzy, made new friends too! Crazy to think we all met each other almost 20 years ago and that our 15th reunion is this summer! Hope to see many of you there!”

Yohei Nakajima reports, “My AI project called BabyAGI went viral and I somehow became one of the better known AI developers, which led me to speaking at TED AI in October! I still run my venture fund Untapped Capital by day.”

Tejas Gala notes, “Divya Vishwanath ’11 and I welcomed our second child into the world! Our daughter, Ria Gala Vishwanath was born on July 4, 2023, and will be joining her brother Roh as future CMCers!

“Couple of fun CMC adventures: On the work side, we’ve developed quite a nice CMC community here at Apple with over 20 of us in finance and lots of interns each summer. I’ve also gotten to work closely with Melissa (Poole) Schild ’01 and Todd Teresi ’92 on some projects which is so cool for me to see various generations of CMC working together on some interesting things.

“This April we got the ‘brocation crew’ together in Park City, Utah which was super fun. This included an epic curling adventure that Camilo organized for us. Group included Brian Krivoy, Evan Jaroff, Peter McGah, Kevin Hesla, Camilo

Cuellar, Greg Hall, and Xande Wright.

“Also, fortunate to celebrate Pat Lacey ’10 and Kerry Mollers ’14 wedding in Cabo where there was a huge Stag reunion. Attendees included (too many to list).”

Max Davison writes, “I was a contestant on Jeopardy!. We said goodbye to my mother. I got married in an Irish castle. And the creator of Entourage called me a “talentless revisionist hack.” Life is funny. Life is strange. But it’s never dull.”

Erika Weingart, Ilon Dietz ’05, Courtney Cronin, and Crystal Marsh submitted a letter in an effort led by Polina Bernstein ’98 to protect Jewish students on the campus in the wake of the terror attacks on Israel.

Camilo Cuellar ’09 camilo.a.cuellar@gmail.com

’11Takako Mino reflects, “I’ve been living in Uganda for the last three years and working on starting the first liberal arts college (Musizi University) in the country. We’ve had lots of help from many CMC alumni along the way such as the late Ambassador McGann ’73, Elyssa (Getreu) Elbaz ’94, Laura (May) Grisolano ’86, and Neil Collins ’87. We’ve also been lucky to host CMC interns for the last two summers in Kampala! This year, my co-founder and I had the privilege of speaking about our work at the Ath - we feel incredibly encouraged by all of the support we’ve received from the CMC community!”

Katerina Yale reports, “I’m finishing up my dermatology residency at UC Irvine this year! Lucky to have two fellow CMCers as co-residents as well (three of 15 of us went to CMC!), Luke Horton ’17 and Briana Halle ’18!”

Henry Lyford “I went surfing in Marin, Calif. with Marshall Fisher, Greg Sanford, and Emily Meinhardt ’10. Fisher may have been awarded the SCIAC Player of the Day during his CMS soccer career, but out in the waves he was more of the kook of the day!”

Asher Landay writes, “I’m still living in Los Angeles and currently working at Jerry Bruckheimer Television. Hannah Kornfeld recently moved to Los Angeles so we’ve been catching up and binging the final season of The Crown!”

Gustavo Cubias notes, “For my first birthday on campus, December 10, 2007, Grace Cowan and our mutual friend, David, ponded me in the dead of winter. Forever grateful.”

Divya Vishwanath writes, “2023 has been a busy one! Tejas Gala ’09 and I welcomed our daughter Ria. Her big brother Roh has already taught her how to throw her arms in the air when yelling ‘Go CMS!’ I also launched the first drop for my business Sift, a personal care brand inspired by centuries-old, South Asian recipes and intentionally formulated for today’s routine. More to come in 2024.

“Tejas and I are loving living in the Sunset with so many CMCers. Hard to believe that we’re going on sixteen years of friendship!”

Divya Vishwanath ’11 dvishwanath@gmail.com

Kathryn (Mgrublian) Aposhian ’11 kmgrublian@gmail.com

’12Joana Chavez writes, “A quick update: My husband and I bought our forever home in the Los Angeles metro area and celebrated our one-year anniversary in Japan. Along with starting a business that supports people with disabilities, I have also had the honor to serve on my city’s planning commission where I get to review and vote on interesting local developments such as affordable housing. Hope to continue being involved in local politics and community through the next year.”

Miles Bird reports, “I recently moved to Culver City, Calif. after spending two years living nomadically all-over North America during Covid. I’m running a venture firm that backs Claremont founders, StoryHouse Ventures, and is working out of an office in Venice Beach, Calif. with many Claremont folks. Life is good!”

Michelle Brody married Mac Esters at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco in September 2023. Jen Ringoen and Rebecca Salzman served as bridesmaids and many, many, many CMCers were there to celebrate.

This spring Elena Davert completed a Masters of Public Policy and Masters of Science at the University of Michigan. She spent the summer and fall traveling across the country to visit friends and family, connecting with many beloved CMCers along the way. She is incredibly excited to start her next chapter in Seattle, reuniting with her CMC roomie, Angel Quicksey

In May, Mika Kasuga was married, with Tom Boerigter, Elena Davert, Angel Quicksey, and April Weathers as her stunning bridesmaids. She traveled to Bermuda, Germany, and the United Kingdom this year, with her honeymoon in 2025.

In September, Angel Quicksey married the guy she met at the bachelorette party of April Weathers. She traveled to Canada, Germany, Belgium, and Hong Kong this year— partly for work and partly for play—and to both coasts for CMC weddings. When not on the road, Angel continued settling into her Seattle, Wash. home (after moving back to her hometown) and is THRILLED to welcome Elena Davert to the PNW family this December.

April Weathers finished her MBA at Harvard in May, 2022, and moved to Chicago with her husband, Milan Reed ’11. The two traveled to six weddings this summer with a quick stopover in Japan along the way.

Tom Boerigter cannot send class notes because he is busy eating his way through Italy with his husband. When not traveling, he resides in Chicago with his husband and their two King Charles Cavaliers, Broccoli and Dragon.

In 2023 Greg Zahner did not get married but went to many fabulous weddings including Michelle Brody’s at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, where he also got to see many of his favorite CMCers. In June, after nine years of graduate school and postgraduate training, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and started work as a hospitalist caring for oncology patients at MGH. He also (finally) met a guy. Stay tuned to future class notes for details.

April Weathers ’12 aprilfweathers@gmail.com

’14

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

Caitlin Highland was thrilled to get married in her hometown in October with several CMCers in attendance. It was especially great having CMCers Laura Epstein, Kanupriya Rungta, and Neil Malani ’13 in the wedding.

Noureen Nanjee Jetha writes, “Can’t believe it’s been almost ten years! Life after grad has been a whirlwind of exciting adventures, and I’m so grateful for the unwavering support of my amazing friends from CMC! This year, I was lucky enough to marry the love of my life in Half Moon Bay and complete my master’s degree in Management. I’m currently living in San Francisco, working as a product manager at Google, and always eager to reconnect with CMCers!”

Katherine Rodriguez Orbach reports, “We welcomed our baby boy, Skyler, on November 16, 2023!”

MAY 30 . JUNE 2, 2024

Alexandra (Cooke) Mandell welcomed her second child, Walker Mandell, in September. Before his arrival, she visited Seattle, where she saw fellow CMCers Bryanna Moore Ballmer, Katie Rodihan, Andrew Runde, Greg Wilson, and Kris Otterholt

Alexandra Mandell ’14 acmandell713@gmail.com

’17Alex Lombardo splits time between Washington, Alaska, California, and New Mexico, working as a climbing and skiing guide for International Mountain Guides in the spring and summer and a ski patroller at Taos Ski Valley in the winter. Every nine months or so he considers law school.

Oliver Mausner writes, “Still touring for music and playing poker full time! Played Lost Lands again this year and prepping for my first headline tour next year!”

For those of you following the life story of Parker Mallchok, welcome back! This update is happy and exciting indeed. She is recently engaged to be married to Jim Vesterman (an Amherst grad, but we’ll forgive him for that because he is a true Stag at heart). While they met at her sister’s wedding a few years ago, Jim patiently waited over a year for Parker to wisen up, break up with a not-so-promising boyfriend, and agree to a date. He proposed in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. They reside in Nashville, Tenn. and travel frequently. Her wedding is anticipated to be a smash hit of a celebration, drawing on inspiration from the likes of TNC, 6:01, Monte Carlo, and Ath talks. Coinciding with this happy life progression, Parker is also pursuing some exciting, more fulfilling career changes - more to come in the next issue.

Michael Boggess writes, “After a long stint at Green Gulch Farm and Zen Center, near Muir Beach, Calif., I decided to go back to Oregon for graduate school! I’m studying Environmental Sciences at Oregon State University, with a pretty broad focus so far. Being on campus has

given me some CMC nostalgia, though grad school is also not so bad. If you’re coming through Oregon, please feel free to reach out!”

Dina Aluzri writes, “In July of this year, I finally launched a fashion brand. It was a lot of years in the making, but I spent the last year diving head first into building my dream company - GALBI. GALBI brings recognition and visibility to exclusive creations and their artisan creators, bringing them to you from across the globe. From Positano to Hvar, we find not-yet-discovered brands and curate an international shopping experience that is, at its heart, local.

“I have a small team- one of which is a current CMC student interning on the Marketing side. We’ve launched our first collection and are currently working on sourcing our next. Check us out on Instagram @shopgalbi and our website www.shopgalbi.com.”

Alejandra T. Vázquez Baur reflects, “This summer, I was selected as an inaugural Obama USA Leader, a program that brings together 100 emerging leaders from across the country that are accelerating positive and lasting change in their communities. Through this program, I have received individual professional coaching, group training and leadership development alongside my Leader peers, and the opportunity to engage with Obama Administration staff and the Obamas themselves in person at the Obama Foundation offices in Chicago, Ill. It has been a humbling and distinct honor to be selected among other inspiring leaders. Also during 2023, I started a new role as a Fellow at The Century Foundation, where I lead our school integration and immigrant education policy portfolios. I continue to direct the National Newcomer Network, a coalition I cofounded late in 2022 to push forward policies that advance educational equity for newcomer immigrant youth in school. I still live in New York City, and I’m loving where I am in every part of life.”

Micky Ferguson reports, “I just wrapped as a Post Production

Coordinator on my most recent project, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters which is streaming now on AppleTV+! I also became a tía this past April with the arrival of my toocute-for-words, perfect little angel of a niece, Ripley, and I am loving the auntie life.”

Micky Ferguson ’17 mickynferguson@gmail.com

’19 ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024

Lauren Broidy writes, “After graduating from Vanderbilt Law in May, I passed the bar exam and started work as a private equity attorney at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in the Dallas office.”

Sijia Lai has moved to New York!

Emily Wang reports, “I have an uneventful life so I’m here to gas up other CMC alumni doing much cooler things that I am. a) Jahnavi Kocha and I are continuing our beautiful long-distance relationship (platonic, sadly for her) and send each other photos in *actual* texts because we’re ~old school~. b) Suvena Yerneni ’18 is making CMC proud and matriculated to Harvard Business School this fall. Don’t worry she’s still grounded - still doesn’t know how to drive on highways. c) Aaron Zheng is a second year GSB and last time I heard, still cutting corporate finance to go to the next Illenium rave #basic. d) Samarth Chawla is also a second year at Columbia MBA/JD - yes, all my friends are getting Ivy League MBAs. Typical. e) Ethan Tom and Roma Forest are happily married with the cutest dog - they are the hosts with the mosts, hit them up if you’re ever in LA!”

Adele English writes, “I am SO looking forward to our five-year class reunion in June. I have the absolute pleasure of seeing my cherished friends Kimmy Tuttle and Hannah Berg on the reg, and can’t wait to spend the weekend with all the great friends we share soon. Feeling particularly excited for Amiya Narula coming back from London for the weekend.”

Edgar Warnholtz writes, “Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to camping out in North Quad. Though the AC and twin bed situation might be dire, staying right next door to longtime friends and our beautiful campus is well worth it!”

Adele English ’19 Adele.English.19@cmc.edu

’20

Naveen Shastri writes, “Enjoying the Bay Area!”

Judah Bates notes, “Doctoral Candidate at Caltech!”

Erin Alexander reflects, “Loving the fall weather in Arizona! Graduated with my MS in Pharmacogenomics & Personalized Healthcare this summer, still working at Mayo Clinic Arizona, and started my MS in Genetic Counseling this fall!”

Hannah Alderete reports, “On a current deployment to Poland!”

Maxwell Kirsch writes, “Still in San Francisco, filling up the calendar with travel to see family and friends. Hoping to learn how to ski this winter.”

Katie Callaci notes, “I received my Master’s in Clinical Psychology in the spring and am in the process of obtaining my Doctorate!”

Laleh Ahmed ’20 lahmad20@cmc.edu

’21

Ameilia “Meli” Ayala writes “After graduation in 2021 I moved across the country to work as the lab manager for the Speech Language Acquisition and Multilingualism lab at the University of Delaware! I love my lab and decided to continue my education at UD and am finishing up the first semester of my PhD program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I was also awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to fund my graduate studies and research on second language acquisition and bilingualism. While I love East Coast life, I do miss my CMC friends in California and visited Josie Savaria-Watson, Clayton North, Emily Howard and others in San Francisco over the summer. I will be back to visit soon!”

Placide Gatabazi reports “The experience of being on the buy side has been incredibly enjoyable, especially as I explore the complexity of early-stage investing under the mentorship of Michael Sekits ’88.”

Uddhav Gupta writes, “I’ve been working in retained executive search for over two years now and love it! It’s been a lot of fun helping companies build out C- and VP-level technical leadership teams who will help them envision and build gamechanging products. I’m currently living in Seattle and invite anyone who is in the area to reach out! In the meantime, I’m also on a mission to visit all 50 states.”

Kiubon Kokko reports, “Moved to Hong Kong to direct my first ever feature length documentary. I hope you enjoy watching it when it’s out. Shoutout to the Optimist crew for paving the way as pioneer CMC doc filmmakers.”

Vera Kratz writes, “Moved to Vermont recently with Chris McElroy HMC ’19 and my dog Waffle. Enjoying working in product management, could not be happier with my teamshout out to Vasu Rai for introducing me. Grateful for the mentorship and support of Meredith (Stechbart) Delich ’08 and other members of the CMC community.”

Patricio Madero writes, “The past two years have been a journey of self-discovery of who I am and what I actually want in life. I wouldn’t be surprised if other CMCers felt that sensation of pressure mixed with guilt from knowing that ’everyone else’ had prestigious internships and jobs, a grind mentality, and ’success’ ahead of them. It was easy to let others define what success should mean to me so the concept of prestigiousness led me astray.

“Two and a half years later, I was able to understand and accept that I was unsatisfied where I was supposed to feel fulfilled. I was on a path that others had made me believe was the path I SHOULD be wanting to be on. I’m proud to claim that I have been able to determine what I value and what success means to me without the influence of others. I am now setting my own goals and celebrating the achievements that I care about and that I value, even if others don’t see their relevance.

“CMC provided many great opportunities to grow and develop but there is always a little bit of bad in everything good. The sensation of motivation and inspiration derived from others’ accomplishments and the need to not fall behind has its benefits. However, it can be dangerous. That being said, it is never too late to ask yourself ‘Is this what I truly want, or have I just been told that it should be?’

“But, yeah, I’m currently working in a cement company. I’m excited to see where life takes me but I’m certain I’ll either be happy and satisfied, or conscious and working towards my own definition of success!”

Ben McAnally reports, “This year, I completed my Masters in Political and Legal Theory at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England and moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I am starting a JD at Harvard Law School!”

Megan Perron writes, “This past summer, I moved to Boulder, Colo. with my two cats, Fig and Mozzarella. I have three weeks left of my Master’s in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State. In January, I’ll be starting a full time technical consulting role with Esri in Colorado!”

Vasu Rai writes, “Traveled a fair bit in the last year and got to see the World Cup in Qatar. I am living in

Newport Beach, Calif. and working at EKN with a whole bunch of fellow CMCers: Arya Nakhjavani ’18, Evan Pauletich ’19, Dominique Arotzarena ’18, Shannon Steele ’20, Emma Kang ’20 and Gabby Lee ’23. We tend to compete with the Mudders at the firm (and win). Unfortunately, sports betting is going badly for me and great for Evan (same one as above) because we like the opposite sides of Manchester.”

Josh Tatum reports, “I helped start StoryHouse Ventures - the first VC fund dedicated to investing in Claremont-founded startups. We now have an office in LA and have invested in 24 different startups todate, started by CMC, HMC, PO, SC, and KGI alumni.”

Bryan Williams writes, “I have been living in Washington D.C. since graduating from CMC and will be graduating from the George Washington University Law School in May. I am in the interview process and intend to work for an agency or nonprofit specializing in environmental law upon graduation.” Qinfei Zou reports, “Living in Los Angeles and working for Boston Consulting Group.”

Vera Kratz ’21 verakratzofficial@gmail.com

’22Brandon Rho writes, “I am currently finishing up my Master’s over at Washington University in St. Louis as part of the 3/2 program in Computer Engineering! Fun Memory: I still remember the Smash games I held in my room every night as well as the tournament I held in McKenna Auditorium! In addition, I still have fond memories of my interactions with all of my residents during my time as an RA.”

Katherine Almendarez writes that she is living life in Miami, filled with a loving community of friends and family. As she co-exists between a corporate job and multiple organizing efforts in the local community, she is also actively playing soccer, tennis, learning to cook and enjoying all the new hobbies that young adults develop post-college. Reach out to her if you find yourself in the sunshine state.

Sobechukwo Uwajeh ’22 suwajeh@cmc.edu

“His kindness, humor, and insight left an impression on me that I will treasure forever. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to meet him and will miss him immensely.”

—Christopher Hu ’21, Robert Day Scholar

Photos courtesy of CMC Archives

Incalculable Impact

Robert A. Day ’65 P’12: A dedicated leader of CMC for nearly 60 years

STORY BY GILIEN SILSBY

visionary leader whose legacy is woven into the fabric of Claremont McKenna College, the late Robert A. Day ’65 P’12 will forever be celebrated as a philanthropic giant responsible for creating countless opportunities for generations of CMC students.

Day, who passed away in September at 79 years old, has been remembered by global dignitaries, former classmates, business colleagues, and most profoundly, the Robert Day Scholar students he directly impacted with his words of advice, visits to the classroom, and invitations to dine with him.

Supporting students

“I still look back fondly on the dinner I shared with him at the annual Robert Day Scholars reunion, where he dispensed advice, told stories, and laughed with us over a glass of his Robert Day wine. … What I learned as a Robert Day Scholar—both from the program and Robert himself—has set me up for success and I am forever grateful,” said Monica Cason ’14, a Robert Day Scholar.

From the time he matriculated as a student in 1960, and throughout more than five decades as a Trustee, Day embraced and advanced CMC’s mission, generously supporting initiatives designed to help develop future responsible leaders. His name graces some of Claremont McKenna’s most notable programs and institutions, including the Robert Day Scholars Program, the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, and the future Robert Day Sciences Center, currently set to open in 2025.

“As a dear friend, loyal alumnus, global business leader, dedicated Board chair, and visionary donor, Robert’s personal, professional, and philanthropic commitment to Claremont McKenna is extraordinary. The legacy of his impact is incalculable,” said CMC President Hiram Chodosh. “The entire CMC community and everyone we serve will benefit from the dividends of Robert’s investments for generations to come.”

Day was a pioneer of the asset management industry having founded Trust Company of the West (TCW). He also served as the CEO and Chairman of the W. M. Keck Foundation. Day was especially committed to supporting programs that directly benefit students at CMC. He was most proud of the Robert Day Scholars Program, which was established with an unprecedented gift in 2007 and is the encapsulation of CMC’s singular mission to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.

Students from across generations have shared stories in the past months on how their lives were forever changed by Day.

“He was a giant and made such a difference in my life,” said Aditya Pai ’13, a Robert Day Scholar. “I was very grateful a couple of years ago that I got to look him in the eye, shake his hand, and thank him personally for his generosity and for helping fund my education.”

The $200 million gift to launch the Robert Day Scholars Program was, at the time, the largest recorded gift to a liberal arts institution and among the top 20 largest gifts ever given to a college or university. In recognition of the extraordinary impact of his gift and his exceptional level of service to the College, CMC renamed the economics department in his honor, establishing the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance.

“I know from talking with CEOs every day and sitting on boards of $40 billion-plus companies that there is an enormous opportunity for young people who possess leadership skills, financial acumen, and the kind of judgment and perspective that only an undergraduate liberal arts education can provide,” Day said at the time.

CMC received another foundational gift in December of 2018—this time a $40 million lead donation from the W. M. Keck Foundation, and another gift in 2021 of $20 million from two foundations affiliated with the Day family—to support the Robert Day Sciences Center, an iconic facility that will house the new Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences. Day also served as an honorary chair for the recently completed Campaign for CMC: Responsible Leadership

Always looking toward the future, Day said, “This new center will provide a powerful platform for innovation in pursuit of CMC’s leadership mission to seize the opportunities of scientific discovery and responsibly put (students) to work in the economy and our democracy.”

Making his mark

Day was born in 1943 in Los Angeles to Robert A. Day and Willametta Keck Day. His grandfather, William Myron Keck, was an oil entrepreneur and philanthropist, who created the W. M. Keck Foundation in 1954.

After attending Robert Louis Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, Day enrolled at Claremont Men’s College in 1960, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He spent five years in pursuit of three areas of interest—economics, international relations, and history—ultimately majoring solely in economics. Throughout his time at CMC, he formed lasting relationships with his professors, as well as founding CMC President George C.S. Benson P’61, former CMC President Jack Stark ’57 GP’11, Jil Stark ’58 GP’11, and many others.

“Robert has been a dear and close friend since his sophomore year at CMC. He was called ‘Bo’ back then. Jil and I have spent many happy days with Robert, and we deeply grieve his passing,” said Jack Stark. “Robert was also a magnificent friend of CMC. He became a Trustee in his late 20s. He generously helped guide his College for more than 50 years, and played a major role in the College’s advancement.”

In December 1965, Day memorably submitted his senior thesis, “A Proposal for an Investment Advisory Company.” He wrote in the introduction: “This is the basic outline of the company which the author intends to establish.”

CMC Professor Procter Thomson offered pages of constructive feedback throughout, including extensive comments at the beginning of the paper. He wrote: “Let me urge you to think this through very, very carefully,” specifically commenting on innovation, range of services, and accountability.

Day received a “B- for bravery.”

He went to work for White Weld & Co. in New York as an institutional salesman, and in his first year became the firm’s fourth-largest producer. Four years later, he returned to California and created the business boldly outlined in his senior thesis.

In 1971, the 27-year-old Day founded TCW in downtown Los Angeles. The fledgling asset management firm started with $2 million in assets under management and quickly grew under Day’s expert leadership. Forty years later, it had grown to $248 billion.

Giving back

Day always credited CMC for his success and reason for giving back to the College. “I went to work straight out of CMC,” said Day, who made his first donation to CMC the year he graduated. “The education I received there prepared me to succeed. I believe that I should put something back into the system, because if I don’t put something back, the next generation will not have the same benefits I enjoyed.”

In addition to financially supporting programs and centers at CMC, Day was also generous with his time and talent. He joined CMC’s Board of Trustees in 1970 at age 29 as its youngest-elected member and two decades later became the seventh trustee chairman and the youngest in CMC’s history.

“Robert embodied the mission and motto of the College. He led a remarkably ‘thoughtful and productive life,’ was the epitome of a ‘responsible leader in business, government, and the professions,’ and believed to his core that ‘civilization prospers with commerce,’” said CMC Board of Trustees Chair David Mgrublian ’82 P’11. “He was a mentor and friend, who was always there for me and for CMC when it faced its biggest challenges and seized its biggest opportunities.”

Day emphasized the importance of good judgment in business leaders and recognized CMC’s strengths in developing strong leadership qualities in students, particularly through practical experiences. “We’ve been making leaders since the founding of the College in 1946,” he said in 2008. “To be a success in any profession, a person must have judgment and take risks. You don’t win anything by waiting.”

Day loved Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond music, a good cigar, and most of all, his alma mater, sharing his wealth of personal and professional connections with CMC by bringing high-profile speakers to campus and trustee meetings, including former U.S. Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and James A. Baker. In 2002, he served on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board under George W. Bush, and in 2006, was awarded the Decoration of Officier de la Legion D’Honneur from the Government of France.

To the end, Day expressed profound pride in graduating from CMC.

“Each year, I recognize more and more the value of my CMC education,” he said. “It is my sincere wish that by giving back to the College in this way, we will help shape the next generation of leaders.”

Day is survived by his children, Joe (and his wife, Nina Hachigian), DiDi, and Jon ’12, his grandchildren Taj, Sosi, Avo, and Ziggy, his wife, Marlyn Day, and his brother, Matt Day, and his family. Robert was predeceased by his brothers, Lawrence and T.J., and sister, Tammis.

—Contributions by Thomas Rozwadowski

Remembering Robert

Read more reflections from the CMC community about Robert Day ’65 P’12 online at www.cmc.edu/newsfeed/ remembering-robert

“I have so many special memories, but what really stands out is the time Robert spent with all of us, especially his Robert Day Scholars. In his soft-spoken voice, he always tried to answer each student, sometimes with a twinkle in his eye or smirk on his face when he knew his response was going to draw a laugh. Robert built a true community because of the time he invested. We now have the responsibility to continue his legacy by investing our time in CMC and the Robert Day Scholars Program.”

Michelle Chamberlain, Vice President, Advancement & Student Opportunities; Dean, Robert Day Scholars Program

“I knew Robert Day as a brilliant investor and savvy businessman who maintained a laser-like focus on the challenges that confronted him. Such clarity helped him develop strong missions for everything he did—from the Trust Company of the West to the Keck Foundation. I cannot think about him without recalling the verse by William Butler Yeats that President George H.W. Bush liked to quote so often: “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends. And say my glory was I had such friends.”

James Addison Baker, III, Former U.S. Secretary of State

“What I will always remember about Mr. Day is how much he cared about CMC students.

During an address to his Robert Day Scholars, he extended an open invitation to have lunch with him at the California Club. He wasn’t just saying that to sound nice and approachable. Another scholar and I reached out and were soon having lunch with Mr. Day. During lunch Mr. Day was genuinely interested in our experiences at CMC and career aspirations. He patiently answered

our questions and regaled us with tales of his career and what he’s learned along the way. Mr. Day showed how much he cared about CMC with incredibly generous donations to the College. He also gave a more precious gift—his time.”

Juliet Archer ’11, Robert Day Scholar

“I have known Mr. Day since I joined the College in 1980. Bob was a fan and a great supporter of our Accounting program. He always felt that everyone must understand accounting—the language of business. I cried when I was told of his passing because he was a great man and wonderful friend.”

Marc Massoud P’89, Robert A. Day Distinguished Professor of Accounting (Emeritus)

“Claremont and ‘Bo’ (Robert Day) changed the trajectory of my life. Bo and I were friends for 63 years. Our rooms were 10 feet from each other at Claremont Hall. As a freshman, he asked, ‘What do you want to be?’ I wanted to be a successful lawyer like my father. He said, ‘You won’t be a great success unless you work for yourself.’ Claremont and Bo opened up a world of success that I never knew existed. I learned that I could contribute to a world by very, very hard work and a ‘can-do optimism.’ When I got married, Bo was my best friend and best man. Later he became best friend and best man to everyone he touched.”

Jon Holden DeHaan ’63, Founder of RCI and Jon DeHaan Foundation for Heart Research

Commencement 1995: Receiving an honorary degree from Dean Anthony Fucaloro

In Memoriam

1940s

Alvin A. Lindenauer ’48 of Woodland Hills, Calif., died Jan. 22, 2020.

John (Johnny) B. Eastland ’49 of Frankston, Texas, died Oct. 14, 2019.

1950s

Richard A. Poindexter ’50 of Prescott, Ariz., died Aug. 15, 2023. At the time, he was the oldest CMC graduate, having achieved the age of 101.

Robert (Bob) B. Dunlap ’51 of Andover, Mass., died July 17, 2020.

Robert K. Leishman ’51 of Newport Beach, Calif., died Oct. 11, 2020. He was a Political Science and Economics major.

Philip J. Yeager ’51 of Anacortes, Wash., died Jan. 12, 2022. After earning his degree in Business Administration, he was a pilot first lieutenant in the Air Force in the Korean War. He attended Ohio State University for postgraduate work. Yeager and his brother joined Century 21 in 1972 and he became a regional owner and CEO, opening up the Mexico region. He and his wife, Peggy, who predeceased him, had five children, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ronald (Ron) A. Kolar ’52 of Oxnard, Calif., died Jan. 6, 2023. Born in Berwyn, Ill., Kolar moved to California in 1941. He owned Ron’s Bars & Stools from 1966 to 1989. He was married to his wife, Victoria, for 62 years and had four sons.

John T. Welsh ’52 P’84 of Santa Barbara, Calif., died Dec. 23, 2022. He was a Business Administration major. His daughter Wendy WelshWestley graduated from CMC in 1984; his brother Stanton “Pete” Welsh graduated in 1950.

Vinton C. Wolfe ’52 of Glendale, Calif., died Oct. 13, 2020. He was a Business Administration major.

James (Jim) W. Temple ’53 of Long Beach, Calif., died May 29, 2019. He was a Business Administration and Economics major.

James L. Udick ’53 of Kalispell, Mont., died April 2, 2021. He was a Business Administration and Economics major.

Albert C. Hansen ’54 of Mojave, Calif., died Sept. 3, 2022.

John C. Hicks ’54 of Houston, Texas, died Dec. 28, 2023. He was a Business Administration and Political Science major.

Austin (Buz) H. Hathaway ’55 of San Marino, Calif., died April 1, 2023. A Pasadena native, Hathaway played football at CMC. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany as a first lieutenant until 1956. He had a long career in the moving, packing, and storage business, first with Lyon

Moving & Storage as VP of sales, then with Westport Packers as VP of operations, before starting Western Pacific Crating Co. in Los Angeles. He was predeceased by his wife, Sonia, and is survived by two children and three grandchildren.

Thomas (Tom) J. Nathan ’55 of Hartsdale, N.Y., died Jan. 20, 2023. Born in Los Angeles, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. During his advertising career in New York City, he worked for top agencies and major brands, reaching the pinnacle of the profession as creative director, copy chief, and SVP, and was recognized with more than 130 awards, including Clios and Effies. He is survived by his wife, Norma, three children, two stepdaughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Willard W. McEwen ’56 of Ventura, Calif., died June 11, 2023. Born in Oak Park, Ill., his family moved to Santa Barbara in 1946. He served a year on active duty as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve before entering and graduating from UC Hastings College of Law (now UC Law San Francisco) in 1960. He began his career as a family law attorney and was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Santa Barbara-Goleta Municipal Court in 1973. He was predeceased by his wife, Susanne, and two children, and is survived by one daughter and four grandchildren.

Gerald G. Merigold ’56 of San Diego, Calif., died Aug. 6, 2022. He was a Business Administration major.

Stuart (Stu) H. Swett ’56 of Coronado, Calif., died Feb. 8, 2023. He was a Government major.

William (Bill) V. Glascock ’57 of Novato, Calif., died Nov. 27, 2022. He was a Humanities major.

Philip (Phil) G. Gough ’57 of Anaheim, Calif., died May 8, 2022. He was a Humanities major.

K. Michael (Mike) Green ’57 of San Luis Obispo, Calif., died Jan. 8, 2020. He was a Management-Engineering major.

Alfred (Al) G. Scheid ’57 P’82 of Pacific Palisades, Calif., died March 31, 2023. A Business Administration major, he earned a degree in Finance at Harvard in 1959. In 1972, he started Scheid Family Wines and two years later founded the California Association of Winegrape Growers. Scheid generously donated his wines for many CMC Alumni Weekend wine tastings and Class of ’57 events. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, children including Scott Schied ’82, stepchildren, and grandchildren.

Tom W. Sims ’57 of Pasadena, Calif., died Dec. 18, 2023. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Long Beach. At CMC, he met his wife, Marjorie, who was at Pomona College; they eloped to Las Vegas and were married 68 years. Sims worked as a page at NBC and later joined Xerox, where he spent

most of his career as a corporate sales executive. He is survived by his wife, three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

George (Bud) R. Ehrnman ’58 of Alta Loma, Calif., died March 16, 2023. He was born in Kansas City, Mo., but grew up locally, a graduate of Chaffey High in Ontario, Calif. A Business Administration major, Ehrnman worked as a bank examiner. In 1966, he became a banker with First Trust Bank. He is survived by his wife, Sammy, and two sons.

Harold (Don) D. Harper ’58 of Rancho Mirage, Calif., died Feb. 10, 2023. He was a Government major.

Fred E. Hayward ’58 P’82 of Santa Barbara, Calif., died Jan. 1, 2024. He was a Business Administration major.

Donald (Don) E. Rowson ’58 P’86 of Beaumont, Calif., died Jan. 7, 2024. A Business Administration major, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1953 to 1954. In 1956, he started with Suburban Gas and worked his way from LP gas serviceman to SoCal regional manager. After 11 years, he founded Industrial Hydrocarbons Inc., a subsidiary of Suburban, which he purchased in 1970. In 1984, Industrial Hydrocarbons became a consulting firm, and Rowson worked as an expert witness in industry defense for over 35 years. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, four children including Holly (Rowson) Kollert ’86, five grandchildren, and numerous greatgrandchildren.

1960s

Donald (Don) C. Davidson ’60 of Bella Vista, Australia, died April 2, 2023. He was a Business Administration major.

Kae A. Ewing ’60 of Newport Beach, Calif., died April 10, 2023. He was born in Huntington Beach and joined the U.S. Coast Guard, 11th Coast District, in 1953. Ewing served on active duty until 1955, when he transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, serving more than eight years. Ewing was a Business Administration major and later worked as a financial advisor. He married a Scripps alumna, Louise, in 1960. Ewing is survived by his second wife, Anne, three children, and seven grandchildren.

Ronald (Ron) Frame ’60 of Lake Stevens, Wash., died Jan. 2, 2021. He was a Business Administration major. Geoffrey (Geof) T. Gordon ’60 of Albuquerque, N.M., died Feb. 13, 2023. He grew up in Massachusetts and Arizona. Gordon was a Business Administration major and played baseball for the Stags for four years. While a student, he was part of a group committed to the restoration and conservation of Story House, where he lived during his senior year. He earned a Master’s degree at UC Berkeley in 1962 and was a captain in

the Air Force for six years and served as an intelligence officer in Vietnam. He retired as a director of Atlas Pacific Engineering Company in Pueblo, Colo. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, two children, and four grandchildren.

George W. Archer ’61 of Reston, Va., died Sept. 3, 2023. He was born in San Diego, Calif. Archer was a Public Affairs and Political Science major and graduated cum laude. He entered the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1963, having obtained the rank of first lieutenant and then captain. In 1962, he married his wife, Pamela, in Miami, Fla., and they had two children. In 1964, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency as a case officer, retiring in 1994 after 30 years of service.

Donald C. Schlotter ’61 of Irvine, Calif., died July 12, 2023. He was born in 1939 in Bethlehem, Pa., and lived most of his life in Riverside and Palm Springs, Calif. A Business Administration major, he worked in corporate insurance underwriting. He is survived by his son and three grandchildren.

Walter (Walt) K. Thompson ’61 of Costa Mesa, Calif., died Nov. 11, 2023. He was a Business Administration major.

Perry W. Reel IV ’62 of Portland, Ore., died March 20, 2023. He played football at CMC.

Kelsie T. Harder ’64 of Reno, Nev., died June 29, 2023. He studied at CMC, the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Morelia, Mexico, and Ventura College before completing his B.A. in Art and Philosophy at the University of Nevada Reno, where he later pursued graduate studies.

Tod F. Huey ’64 of Seattle, Wash., died July 29, 2023. A Business Administration and Economics major, he met his wife, Nina, while she attended Scripps. He is survived by his wife, two children, and three grandchildren.

Stephen (Steve) D. Kratz ’64 of Bainbridge Island, Wash., died on Dec. 15, 2022. He grew up in Azusa, Calif. A Political Science major, he played water polo his freshman year, was a member of the Knickerbockers fraternity, and was a devoted student of Dr. Harold William Rood. He earned an MBA at UC Berkeley in 1966. Kratz served in the California National Guard and had a career in technology at companies such as IBM and Fujitsu, before starting Westport Associates. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, two sons, and one grandchild.

Richard L. Julian ’66 P’01 of Goleta, Calif., died Aug. 25, 2023. He was born in New Jersey and grew up in Pacific Palisades. Julian was a ManagementEngineering major at CMC and earned a degree in Engineering at Stanford in 1967 and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Stanford in 1968. He worked for Hughes Aircraft, and then for its subsidiary,

Santa Barbara Research Center (SBRC and SBRS). There, he specialized in geostationary satellite imagery, contributing to many earth imaging projects. Julian retired as a Senior Engineering fellow. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jana, two children including Anne Julian ‘01, and two grandsons.

Michael (Mike) W. Donovan ’67 of Bellevue, Wash. died Sept. 5, 2023. He was a Mathematics major.

Steven J. Freeburg ’67 of Pasadena, Calif., died July 13, 2023. He was a Political Science major earning a JD at Loyola Law School in 1970.

Wayne E. Ruhter ’69 of Dallas, Texas, died July 24, 2023. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, graduating from Downey High School. Ruhter was an Economics and Mathematics major at CMC and earned a Ph.D. at UCLA before launching a career teaching Economics at the University of Texas in Dallas. He then served as a presidential fellow at the U.S. Department of the Interior and worked for the Public Utilities Commission in Arizona. Later, he formed his own economic consulting firm, Ruhter and Reynolds. He is survived by his wife, Terri, and two children.

Robert (Bob) G. Struble ’69 of Rochester, Ill., died Dec. 8, 2023. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in La Cañada. Struble was a Science major, played water polo, and met his wife, Leslie, while she attended Pitzer. He earned his Master’s and Ph.D. in experimental psychology at UC Riverside. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at Purdue, joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins, and then joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University. After retiring in 2012, he taught for a year as an adjunct at Eastern Illinois University. He is survived by his wife, son, and two grandchildren.

Carl (Zoli) G. Zocholl ’69 of Riverside, Calif., died April 10, 2023. From Elgin, Ill., he attended Illinois University, joined the Navy, got married, and served on the U.S.S. Los Angeles and U.S.S. England during the Vietnam War. After attending Long Beach City College, he graduated from CMC as an Economics major. He worked for Pacific Bell and then went into real estate, sold boats, and started a charter boat company. He is survived by his wife, Helen, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

1970s

Alan F. Boyd ’70 of Moraga, Calif., died March 22, 2023. He was an Accounting and Economics major.

Gregory V. Gibson ’72 of Newport Beach, Calif., died Dec. 5, 2023. He was born in Palo Alto, Calif., and grew up in Pasadena. He was a History major

and then transferred to and graduated from Brigham Young University.

Sheldon R. Emmer ’74 of Northridge, Calif., died Aug. 7, 2023. Emmer was a History major, a member of the soccer team, and a resident of Boswell Hall. Emmer obtained a Master’s degree from California State University, Northridge in 1989, and a JD from La Verne College of Law in 1981. He was a member at Emmer & Graeber, A Law Corporation in Los Angeles until his retirement in 2019. He served as a member of the CMCAA Board of Directors from 1990 to 1993. He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce, and is survived by two sons.

Richard C. Rogers ’74 of Eugene, Ore., died July 8, 2021. He was an Economics major.

Frederick (Fred) P. Snow ’74 of San Jose, Calif., died Feb. 14, 2022. He was a Management-Engineering major.

John L. Kunkle ’76 of Sacramento, Calif., died April 24, 2023. He was an Economics major.

Thomas (Tom) E. Petty ’76 of Newburyport, Mass., died Oct. 15, 2023. He was born in Hartford, Conn., and grew up in Boxford, Mass., before moving to Newburyport. He was a Religion major and graduated magna cum laude. He enjoyed a 42-year career in insurance, with over 20 years as co-owner and president of TA Holland & Co. Ltd. in Boston.

Richard (Rich) J. Salonick ’77 of Scottsdale, Ariz., died Dec. 31, 2022. He was born in Altoona, Pa. A Political Science major at CMC, he later graduated from ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 1980. Salonick was an attorney and solo practitioner in Phoenix and was with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office.

F. J. (Jeff) Callender ’78 of Blaine, Wash., died March 12, 2021. He was a Political Science major.

Ditman L. Johnson ’79 P’14 P’16 of Seattle, Wash., died April 29, 2023. He was a History major at CMC, where he met the love of his life, Carrie George ’80. Ditman and Carrie married in 1981 and attended Harvard Business School together, graduating with MBAs in 1984. Following business school, Ditman and Carrie moved to San Francisco, where they acquired a small manufacturing company. They expanded and managed the company until selling it in 2003. From 2006 until 2022 when he retired, Ditman either consulted at Microsoft or represented Inviso Corporation in providing contract employees to Microsoft. He is survived by his wife, Carrie George, and their daughters Leah Johnson ’14 and Adrienne Johnson ’16.

Robert (Bob) S. Shaw ’79 of Modesto, Calif., died June 29, 2023. He was an International Relations major.

1980s

Derek (Riko) S. Werner ’80 of San Diego, Calif., died June 26, 2023. He was an Economics and Accounting major at CMC where he played tennis for the Stags and was named an ITA All-American. His tennis achievements garnered him a spot on the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Tennis Wall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Jennie Jackson Werner, Scripps ’81.

Peter A. Schwartz ’81 of Danville, Ky., died Dec. 26, 2022. He was born in Oradea, Romania. An Economics and Philosophy major, Schwartz became a high school math teacher. A veteran in the Israeli Army, he fought in the Yom Kippur War. He was married to his wife, Romelle, for 23 years. He is survived by his son and three granddaughters.

1990s

James (Jim) Kearney ’91 of West Linn, Ore., died Nov. 27, 2023. He grew up in Moscow, Idaho. Kearney was an International Relations major and worked as a Senate Budget Committee analyst in Washington, D.C. He later earned his JD from the University of Washington Law School and worked for Stoel Rives LLP in Portland. Kearney and his wife, Devani, had three children.

John M. Finke ’93 of Tacoma, Wash., died in 2023. He was a Biochemistry major at CMC, earned two degrees in Chemistry at UC San Diego, and became a professor at the University of Washington Tacoma.

Constantin Popov ’98 of Auburn, Calif., died October 2023. He was an Economics major.

2000s

Jennifer A. Wickre ’03 of Washington, D.C., died April 22, 2023. She was born in Medford, Ore. As a Government major, she participated in the Washington, D.C. Program, where she first interned for Congressman Jerry Lewis. After graduating, she worked for Lewis full-time until he retired. Wickre later served as a staffer for the U.S House Committee on Science Space & Technology, working her way up to deputy staff director.

Ikenna M. Njemanze ’04 of Elizabethtown, Pa., died July 13, 2020. Njemanze was an International Relations and History major who was active in the 5C InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and worked at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government. After CMC, he traveled to China to teach English. He earned a Master’s in East Asian studies at Stanford in 2013 and then a second Master’s in Industrial and Labor

Relations from Cornell in 2016. He worked in human resources for Royal Dutch Shell Co., Cisco, and Google. He is survived by his wife, Amelie, and two daughters.

Faculty

Professor Richard (Dick) J. Sweeney, the Stone Professor of Finance at CMC and Claremont Graduate University, 1977-1989, and an editor of Economic Inquiry, died July 30, 2023. Until his retirement in 2015, Sweeney was the Bolton Sullivan/Thomas Dean Professor of International Finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, and previously taught at UCLA and Texas A&M University before spending four years at the U.S. Department of the Treasury in an office of policy research. He enjoyed traveling and spent summers and sabbaticals teaching at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark. An alumnus of UCLA, Sweeney earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University. Professor Richard (Dick) Wheeler, an expert on Pakistan politics, died April 28, 2023. He joined CMC’s Government department in 1968, becoming emeritus in 1993. Wheeler authored The Politics of Pakistan: A Constitutional Quest, published by Cornell University Press in 1970. Wheeler earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Political Science from UC Berkeley.

Friends

Wayne (Wally) Cox, “grandfather” of the Claremont Colleges Men’s Rugby team, died April 6, 2023. In recognition of his impact on the young men who were members of the team, the CMC Alumni Association made him an honorary life member in 2006. He is only the second non-CMC family member to be so honored. When The Claremont Colleges rugby club created a Hall of Fame in the fall of 2022, Cox was the initial inductee. Cox’s introduction to rugby occurred while he attended Dental School at USC. Shortly after opening his dental office in Claremont, a patient mentioned that The Claremont Colleges had a men’s rugby team. Cox showed up at a practice, offered to help, and became the head coach for two decades. During this period, he organized team trips to Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. The team’s success saw them promoted from Division II to Division I, the highest level of play in college and university club rugby in the United States.

Reflecting and honoring the late Professor Haley’s impact on the CMC community, a Nov. 28 memorial at the Athenaeum was filled with fond memories, poetry, and a scholarly lecture, “Threats and Promises Across the Nuclear Age,” by Professor Lisa Koch.

CMC Board of Trustees member Sue Matteson King ’85 P’18 and Joseph Zhong ’25, a Washington Program student mentored by Ambassador C. Steven McGann ’73, pay tribute with spouse Bertra McGann (middle) at his Sept. 28 memorial in McKenna Auditorium.

P. Edward “Ed” Haley

W. M. Keck Foundation Professor Emeritus of International Strategic Studies

P. Edward “Ed” Haley, an invaluable mentor and professor to more than four generations of Claremont McKenna College students—and a key figure in the founding of the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights and the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies—died on June 30, 2023. He was 83.

Haley, who joined the CMC faculty in 1968 and chaired the International Relations program, eventually became the W. M. Keck Foundation Professor Emeritus of International Strategic Studies. In 1984, he was named the first Director of the Keck Center, establishing a library and a focus on teaching and researching international politics, international economics, defense and military affairs, and strategic studies. He later served on its Board of Governors.

Haley also was Director of the Center for Human Rights Leadership (now the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights) from 2008-2014, where he worked tirelessly to ensure the Center’s long-term viability and expand key programs—including a speaker series and summer internship program by formalizing partnerships with leading organizations, such as Human Rights Watch. He was also one of the first members of its Advisory Board.

“Ed Haley was one of the most impactful professors with whom I studied—he not only was a great scholar and teacher, he truly cared about his students and how to help them reach their aspirations,” said Julie Sweet ’89, Chair and CEO of Accenture. “To this day, I have great memories that span deep conversations about the world and politics to thoughtful career advice to discussions on leadership. He helped shape generations of leaders and will be missed greatly.”

A highly esteemed expert in U.S. foreign policy—specifically U.S. policy in the Middle East, U.S.-European relations, and nuclear safety and arms control—Haley conducted research with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Haley earned a B.A. in History and M.A. in Political Science from Stanford University, along with a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Relations. In addition, he was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1962-64.

C. Steven McGann ’73 Board of Trustees member

Retired U.S. Ambassador C. Steven McGann ’73, whose distinguished diplomatic and public service career spanned decades, passed away on May 24, 2023.

A member of the Claremont McKenna College Board of Trustees, McGann was 71 years old. Throughout his career, McGann played a key role in forging humanitarian policies that increased global peace and security. He was also a staunch advocate for gender equality.

“Steve McGann was a giant on all levels, personal and professional. We have lost a generous, brilliant, dedicated, warm friend. We have lost a prominent ambassador for the United States on the world stage and for CMC,” said President Hiram Chodosh. “His leadership improved the lives of women and men in areas hard-hit by conflict and climate change. He inspired our students by example, through his leadership on our Board and in our Washington Program, and his energetic simulations and engagements on our campus.”

McGann worked for six presidential administrations in an array of diplomatic assignments, serving as the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. He was also responsible for drafting and negotiating the Security Council resolution that imposed sanctions against the Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.

The self-effacing, quick-witted McGann, known for his dry humor and warm personality, was devoted to CMC. In a keynote address at the College in 2017, McGann credited his CMC professors for his long and successful career in foreign policy.

“Everything I learned about foreign policy I learned right here on campus, right here at CMC,” McGann said. “My mentor was Professor Ed Haley. … and I took every one of his classes. He brought me to the Model UN program in 1972, and he was my reference for joining the Foreign Service.”

After earning his B.A. in Political Science from CMC, McGann received a graduate degree in Government from Cornell University and a master’s degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was also a graduate of the Naval War College’s Fourth Joint Force Maritime Commander Component Course.

Top photos by Sidney Smith IV '25 and Bauman Photographers

CMC Board of Trustees

Chair of the Board

DAVID G. MGRUBLIAN ’82 P’11

CEO, IDS Real Estate Group

President of the College

HIRAM E. CHODOSH

Regular Trustees

PETER K. BARKER ’70 P’01

Retired Chairman of California JPMorgan Chase & Co., Retired Partner, Goldman Sachs, Vice Chair of the Board and Board Chair Emeritus, Claremont McKenna College

TODD BARKER ’01

Co-founder, CEO, and CIO Freestone Grove Partners

JAMES B. BEMOWSKI ’76 P’07 P’09 M’10

Retired, Vice Chairman of the Doosan Group and CEO of Doosan Corporation Business Operations

STEPHEN C. BULLOCK ’88 P’24

Governor of Montana (2013–2021)

A. STEVEN CROWN ’74

General Partner and Co-President Henry Crown & Company

TINA DANIELS ’93

Media and Marketing Executive

CARY DAVIDSON ’75

Co-Founder and Managing Partner Reed & Davidson, LLP

HON. DAVID DREIER ’75

Founder and Chairman, Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, Former Chairman of Tribune Publishing Company, Member of Congress (1981-2013)

STEVEN L. EGGERT ’82 P’15

Founder Anton DevCo, LLC

ELYSSA M. ELBAZ ’94 Manager Elbaz Family Foundation

LAURA M. GRISOLANO ’86 President and CEO Bridge Mediation & Leadership Solutions LLC

CMC

Editorial

Anne Bergman

E. DAVID HETZ ’80 P’10

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees

Claremont McKenna College

SUSAN MATTESON KING ’85 P’18

Board Director, Private Investor, and Senior Executive

JEFFREY S. KLEIN ’75 P’08 P’11 P’14

Retired Executive Chairman 1105 Media, Inc.

HENRY R. KRAVIS ’67

Co-Founder and  Co-Executive Chairman

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.

DUANE KURISU P’08

Chairman and CEO, aio

MICHAEL LARSON ’80 Chief Investment Officer Cascade

TAO LI ’02

Co-Founder and Managing Partner Teng Yue Partners

JAMES B. MCELWEE ’74 P’12 Private Investor

HARRY T. MCMAHON ’75 P’08 P’09

Senior Advisor, G100 Companies, Vice Chair of the Board and Board Chair Emeritus Claremont McKenna College

MARCI LERNER MILLER ’89 P’19 P’20 Partner, Potomac Law Group, PLLC

AKSHATA N. MURTY ’02

PAUL NATHAN ’80

Founder, Ledex Consulting Corporation

DONNA WENGERT NEFF P’21

Private Investor

DOUGLAS L. PETERSON ’80 P’14 P’15

President and CEO S&P Global

REY RAMSEY Managing Partner Centri Capital

G. JEFFREY RECORDS, JR. ’81 Chairman and CEO MidFirst Bank

GEORGE R. ROBERTS ’66 P’93 Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.

RICHARD J. ROMERO ’89 President & CEO Oremor Management and Investment Co.

Thomas Rozwadowski

Gilien Silsby

Malia Whitenack

Visual

Anibal Ortiz

Valerie Ramos

Isaiah Tulanda ’20

Design

Jay Toffoli

ROSSI A. RUSSELL ’71 Attorney at Law

JOHN SHREWSBERRY ’87 P’24 Chief Financial Officer, GoodLeap

DARRELL G. SMITH ’74 P’00 Managing Director Darrell Smith, Inc.

BRUCE A. SOLL ’79 P’12 P’15 P’17 Counselor, Soll Advisors

KENNETH J. VALACH ’82 CEO, Trammell Crow Residential

SHAW B. WAGENER ’81 Chairman Capital Group Private Markets

Alumni Trustees

ERIC FUJIMOTO ’93 P’24 Founder, Ho‘ea – Wealth Advisory Group

STELLA HO ’97 Partner, LightBay Capital

TENDO NAGENDA ’97 Producer

Ex Officio Trustees

ALLISON ALDRICH P’24 President of the CMC Parent Network Claremont McKenna College

SCOTT TORREY ’91 P’23 P’26 President of the CMC Alumni Association Claremont McKenna College Life Trustees

GARY E. BISZANTZ ’56 P’08 Former Chairman Cobra Golf, Inc.

BARBARA W. BOSWELL Educator and Vice President Boswell Family Foundation

ABBOTT L. BROWN P’00 Chairman and CEO Ridgestone Corporation

RICHARD E. BUTLER Retired President Kilkenny Consulting Corp.

JOSEPH T. CASEY P’81 P’85 P’88 P’95 GP’20 Retired Executive Vice President and Director Litton Industries, Inc.

MARVIN W. DREW ’51 P’75 GP’05

Private Investor

JOHN M. ISAACSON Chairman, Isaacson Miller

THOMAS C. LEPPERT ’77

Former CEO of the Turner Corp, Kaplan, Inc., and Castle & Cooke Properties, Former Dallas Mayor (2007-2011)

PERRY A. LERNER ’65 P’89 GP’19 GP’20 Chairman & CEO

Crown Global Insurance Group

ROBERT J. LOWE ’62 Founder and Chairman, Lowe Enterprises, Inc., and Board Chair Emeritus, Claremont McKenna College

THOMAS M. MITCHELL ’66 Retired Chairman and CEO Provident Investment Counsel

KENNETH M. NOVACK ’67 Founding Partner, Schnitzer West

WILLIAM PODLICH ’66 GP’26 Retired CEO

Pacific Investment Management Co.

FRED PRAGER ’99 P’01

Senior Managing Partner

Hilltop Securities

JACK L. STARK ’57 GP’11

President Emeritus Claremont McKenna College

CHRISTOPHER V. WALKER ’69

Retired, Founding Partner

Leonard Green & Partners

BUZZ WOOLLEY ’59 P’90 P’92

Chairman of the Board Girard Capital, Inc.

Honorary Trustees

JOHN V. CROUL ’49

Retired, Co-Chairman Behr Process Corporation

GLENN L. HICKERSON ’59

President Hickerson Associates

Contributors

Chad McElroy ’26

Karina Ramirez del Real ’22

Sidney Smith IV ’25

Class Notes

John Faranda ’79

Rebecca Pelén

Evan Rutter ’06

Cover image by

Anibal Ortiz

Vice President for Advancement

Michelle Chamberlain

Chief Strategic Communications Officer

Megan Jordan P’27

Spring 2024

CMC Volume 46, Number 1

Published by Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA 91711-6400

Claremont McKenna College, and CMC, are registered trademarksof Claremont McKenna College, and all applicable rights to use of the trademarks are reserved. Claremont McKenna College does not discriminate on any illegal basis in the administration of its admission, educational, or employment policies and practices. Claremont McKenna College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. To read online, go to: issuu.com/claremontmckennacollege.

Copyright © 2024, Claremont McKenna College

photo courtesy of Kim Ledbetter ’74

parting shot

In celebration of beloved CMC professor Ward Elliott on the anniversary of his death, students, faculty, and friends gathered at the Athenaeum for a Singing Party—one of Elliott’s favorite hosting traditions with his wife of 53 years, Myrna (middle). “He would be so touched by this group here,” Myrna said before reminding everyone, in the words of her late husband, to “keep their pianos tuned.”

Photo by Valerie Ramos

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